GRANTS. Five of the recipients are affiliated with Gothenburg institutions. Professor Michael Olausson obtained the largest grant for a project that may enable more donors and shorter wait times.
Michael Olausson, SEK 200,000
Professor of Transplant Surgery, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg
Project: Reconditioning of kidneys from donors after cardiac death and long-term preservation for cancer patients
His research may reduce wait times for surgery by virtue of a significantly larger pool of donors. Not only that, but the ability to store kidneys outside the body for an extended period of time would permit the use of innovative methods to treat kidney cancer. The Gelin Fund contributed to the project in 2014.
Mihai Oltean, SEK 100,000
Transplant Surgeon, Sahlgrenska University Hospital
Project: Ischemic conditioning – a new strategy for using the body’s repair mechanisms to reduce ischemia-reperfusion damage after kidney transplants
His research may promote better use of donated kidneys while improving both the short-term and long-term effectiveness of transplants. The Gelin Fund contributed to the project in 2014.
Robert Saalman, SEK 100,000
Associate Professor, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Senior Consultant, Queen Silvia Children’s Hospital
Project: Immune regulatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, with a focus on organ transplanted pediatric patients
Children who receive organ transplants run a considerably elevated risk of developing nodular tongue syndrome, food allergies and other immune regulatory conditions. Their quality of life is seriously compromised. The purpose of his research is to identify the underlying mechanisms so that they can be prevented and treated.
Rickard Norden, SEK 75,000
Microbiologist, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital
Project: Transfusion Transmitted Virus as a biomarker for monitoring the degree of immunosuppression after lung transplants
Optimization of treatment to prevent rejection of lung transplants is a top priority. The goal of his research is to discover methods that will minimize the risk of infection in order to reduce morbidity and improve survival rates.
Åsa Norén, SEK 75,000
Transplant Surgeon, Sahlgrenska University Hospital
Project: Characterization of kidney changes after liver transplants
The purpose of her research is to develop methods that will reduce the risk of kidney damage after transplants of livers, ultimately hearts, lungs, uteruses and other solid organs as well. The Gelin Fund contributed to the project in 2014.
Erik Berglund and Johan Nordström, Karolinska University Hospital, Peter Stenvinkel, Karolinska Institutet, Olof Gidlöf, Lund University, and Martin Johansson, Skåne University Hospital, also received grants this year.
The Professor Lars-Erik Gelin Memorial Foundation for Transplant Research (Gelin Fund) has awarded grants ever since 1982.
As the earliest Swedish professor of transplant surgery, Lars-Erik Gelin (1920-1980) pioneered national and international research. He performed the first kidney transplant at Sahlgrenska Hospital in 1965 and spent the 1970s turning it into one of the global leaders in the field. The Association of Kidney Patients of West Sweden took the initiative in 1981 to found the Professor Lars-Erik Gelin Memorial Foundation. The foundation awards around SEK 1 million each year to transplant research and development. Check out www.gelinfonden.org
