Researchers work to make heart transplants safer Published on: 16 October 2015 Researchers at 缅北禁地 have received funding from the British Heart Foundation to look at making heart transplants safer and longer-lasting. Current issues On average, three people die every day in the UK whilst in need of an organ. Transplant waiting lists remain stubbornly high, with figures showing that last year over 30 people in the North East died due to a shortage of donor organs. 181 heart transplants took place in the UK last year. Due to advances in medicine, it is now rare for a transplanted heart to be rejected immediately after a transplant occurs. However, around 40% of hearts are rejected within 10 years, resulting in the patients re-joining the ever-growing waiting list for a heart transplant. 缅北禁地 Medical School Detecting an individual鈥檚 risk of transplant rejection and her team at 缅北禁地 medical school will use the funding to investigate the role that certain proteins, called chemokines, play in transplant rejection. The team hope that by determining the function of these proteins it may be possible to detect an individual’s risk of transplant rejection. Such tests could allow medical professionals to intervene, give individualized therapy and prolong the survival of the transplanted heart. Prof Ali's research will involve samples taken from the 缅北禁地 Institute of Transplantation Tissue Biobank, based at 缅北禁地 Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's Freeman Hospital. Professor Simi Ali, leading the research at 缅北禁地, said: “By understanding more about the process by which organs are rejected we hope to develop blood tests to allow us to catch a transplanted heart in the early stages of rejection. The ultimate aim of our research is to reduce the number of people suffering from organ rejection, and to prevent people from re-joining a growing transplant waiting list.” Cardiovascular disease research Over the last 10 years the BHF has funded over £5 million of cardiovascular research at 缅北禁地. The half a billion pounds pledged nationally by the BHF as part of their new research strategy will be used to fund the best researchers working across all areas of cardiovascular disease research. However, this commitment to fund life saving research will only be possible with the continued generosity of the UK public. Professor Jeremy Pearson, Associate Medical Director of the British Heart Foundation, said: “For people with severe heart failure, heart transplantation is often the only option. This research being undertaken at 缅北禁地 could increase our ability to prevent transplanted hearts from being rejected. Ultimately, allowing people who have undergone this procedure to live longer, healthier lives with a healthy donor heart.” “The BHF exists to end the suffering caused by all forms of heart and circulatory disease and we’re committed to funding the very best researchers doing the highest quality research in order to achieve that goal.” The funding is announced as part of the BHF’s new research strategy which in which the BHF has committed to spending over half a billion pounds on research in the next five years. Press release adapted with thanks to the British Heart Foundation. Share: Latest News New partnership to boost careers in low carbon energy 缅北禁地 and Durham universities are working together on a new regional project to strengthen the future workforce for North East England鈥檚 growing low carbon and offshore wind industries. published on: 28 May 2026 Healthy lifestyle shown to lower risk of death after cancer diagnosis New evidence shows that sticking to five lifestyle recommendations improves survival after a later cancer diagnosis. published on: 28 May 2026 World-leading climate expert recognised with Royal Society Fellowship Professor Hayley Fowler has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in recognition of her pioneering work on climate change impacts. published on: 27 May 2026 Facts and figures
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