On the basis of an idea by pioneer Michael Olausson, professor within surgery and active at the Transplantation Centre at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, transplantation related research is being organised in a completely new way within Transplantation Biology & Regenerative Medicine. The new concept is based on clinicians and researchers working together for the purpose of transferring knowledge from fundamental research to patient as quickly as possible. Since there are now more than 20 people in the group, the need has arisen for a larger premises at Sahlgrenska Science Park.

"The facilities at Sahlgrenska Science Park make it an ideal location for the purposes of our group. A dynamic think tank for testing new ideas gives spin-off effects that promote development," says Michael Olausson.

Beneficial for patients
His colleague Suchitra Holgersson, professor within Transplantation Biology, agrees and adds, "Our activities are being performed with a totally new type of infrastructure. With a focus on collaboration between different competences, our patient related research will hopefully prove to be very beneficial," says Suchitra, who is looking forward to being part of an expanded network presenting new possibilities via new contacts.

Michael Olausson and Suchitra Holgersson agree upon the fact that translational research is an important link between fundamental research and development. "As a clinician, I can relate to patients' problems and raise questions on how to solve them, and conversely, we can discuss how an idea in the laboratory can most rapidly be made to benefit the patient," says Michael Olausson.

"We warmly welcome Transplantation Biology & Regenerative Medicine to Sahlgrenska Science Park and hope that our environment will contribute to interesting results and new commercial opportunities," says Gunilla Bökmark, CEO, Sahlgrenska Science Park.

Stem cells in focus
Stem cell technology is a fundamental part of the research together with modern technology for the production of stem cells. One example is to attempt to use the skeleton of an organ to form a complete organ by using stem cells. Other significant work entails improving methods to detect the risk of rejection at an early stage, presently a common dilemma within transplantation healthcare since it is a natural reaction by the body's immune defence system. Several diagnostic tools have already been commercialised, among them a kit to analyse the occurrence of unusual antibodies that can cause rejection," says Suchitra Holgersson.

Many future possibilities
The future presents many possibilities, and individual adaptations are of special interest. Being able to specifically customise an organ for a patient would provide huge benefits. Instead of lifelong treatment with immune dampening drugs after a transplantation, a new customised organ would improve the quality of life and in the long term reduce costs. There is no shortage of ideas in this successful team, which is currently holding its focus on arteries and veins, while, for example, accounting for lung research further on in 2012.