Research
Mayo Clinic scientists, doctors and surgeons are creating new knowledge and advancements in liver transplant. Their work makes transplants safer and more available to people. They are actively involved in conducting laboratory studies, clinical trials and other research on every aspect of conditions related to liver transplants.
Here are a few examples:
- Bioartificial liver. This device helps people while they wait for a donor liver. Developed by Mayo Clinic doctors and researchers, bioartificial livers use living cells from pig livers to filter a person's blood, similar to kidney dialysis. The device is being tested before it becomes available in clinics and hospitals.
- Magnetic resonance elastography. This innovative technology was developed by Mayo Clinic doctors and researchers as a noninvasive way to test for liver scarring. Someday it may reduce the need for liver biopsies in people with liver disease.
- Immunosuppressive medicines. This research looks at how donated livers grafts can protect other organs transplanted at the same time. This helps improve the chances of success for people who receive multiorgan transplants.
- Maximizing organ donors. Mayo Clinic researchers are developing innovative preservation methods that make more donated livers usable for transplant, helping to expand the donor pool.
- Cell therapies for liver disease. This research offers potential new treatments for several liver diseases and may improve the success of liver transplantation.
- Triage system. Mayo Clinic researchers proposed, designed and tested the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD). This system helps decide which people get transplants first based on the severity of their conditions and how urgently they need transplants.
Read more about the many liver transplant research studies supported by the Transplant Research Center.
Publications
See a list of publications about liver transplant by Mayo Clinic doctors on PubMed, a service of the National Library of Medicine.