Transplantation

By studying transplantation and the body’s immune response, our researchers advance cell-based therapies for organ regeneration and pursue prevention of tissue rejection and alternative sources of cells and organs for transplantation. 

The Multi-Organ Transplant Program at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is one of the leading transplant programs in Canada, performing about 160 transplants annually. More than 5,000 Canadians have received transplants, including heart, kidney, kidney-pancreas, liver, and multi-organ transplantation, at LHSC’s Children’s Hospital and University Hospital.

Our commitment to high-quality research and training is crucial to the success of the program. Many of our clinician-scientists have cross appointments between LHSC, Lawson Health Research Institute, Western University and Robarts Research Institute which assists in pushing forward the frontiers of organ transplantation and improving care for patients.

Basic and Translation Research

Research interest areas include:

• Factors in organ rejection and long-term outcome after transplantation
• Regulation of cellular injury to promote organ survival following transplantation
• Novel strategies in oral immune intolerance
• Chronic injury of kidney cells by inflammation and premature loss of transplanted kidneys
• Organ preservation and function optimization of the transplanted organ
• Transplant immunology
• The circumstances that lead to tissue injury and strategies to minimize this injury

Matthew Mailing Centre

When Matthew Mailing passed away in 2003 at the age of 34 from complications related to heart transplant surgery, he bequeathed one-third of his estate to support our Multi-Organ Transplant Program. Matthew’s gift became the catalyst for establishing a world-class facility in transplant studies - The Matthew Mailing Centre for Translational Transplant Studies, a joint venture between LHSC and Lawson.

Led by Dr. Anthony Jevnikar, the state-of-the-art Mailing Centre was funded through the generous support of the Mailing family and friends along with donations from hockey great Eric Lindros, the Department of Medicine, pharmaceutical companies, and individuals from health care and our community.

The nearly 9,000-square-foot Mailing Centre promotes accelerated translation of basic research in transplantation to improve patient care. Scientists and clinician-scientists have a primary interest in transplantation such as novel immunotherapy, tissue protection and advanced microsurgical techniques. Recognizing that research benefits from natural communication that occurs when researchers work together, the Mailing Centre is an open environment workspace, which encouraged interaction and collaboration.

Scientific breakthroughs in organ transplantation made here benefit patients throughout Canada and around the world.

Training Opportunities

Training in various research labs is under the supervision of the respective researchers. Training ranges from summer students to Master’s students, to those working towards their PhD degrees as well as postdoctoral fellows. Many of the PhD candidates and postdoctoral fellows are attracted by the reputation of the individual researchers. Check Western University’s School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies website for more information.

The Multi-Organ Transplant Program has Fellows in kidney transplantation (both surgery and nephrology) and liver transplantation (surgery and hepatology). Kidney transplant Fellows will also gain experience with kidney-pancreas transplantation. The Fellowship Program is accredited with the American Society of Transplant Surgeons for surgical training in kidney and liver transplantation.