UBC Converts Type A Kidney to Type O in First Human Universal-Donor Transplant
Updated
Updated · Bored Panda · Jun 9
UBC Converts Type A Kidney to Type O in First Human Universal-Donor Transplant
3 articles · Updated · Bored Panda · Jun 9
Summary
A human kidney was successfully transplanted after being converted from blood type A to universal type O, marking the first reported test of the approach in a person.
UBC-developed enzymes stripped blood-type markers from the donor organ, aiming to avoid incompatibility between donor and recipient and reduce rejection risk.
The result points toward universal-donor organs for transplantation, a step that could widen matching options and shorten waits if longer-term outcomes hold up.
Researchers framed the transplant as an early proof of concept rather than a final solution, with durability and long-term rejection outcomes still the key test.