Accessibility Statement Skip Navigation
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists
  • Webcasts
  • Data Privacy
  • Français
  • my CNW 
    • Login
    • Register
  • Client Login 
    • Online Member Centre
    • Next Gen Communications Cloud
    • Cision Communications Cloud®
  • Sign Up
  • Send a Release
Return to PR Newswire homepage
  • News
  • Products
  • Contact
When typing in this field, a list of search results will appear and be automatically updated as you type.

Searching for your content...

No results found. Please change your search terms and try again.
Advanced Search
  • News in Focus
      • Browse News Releases

      • All News Releases
      • All Public Company
      • News Releases Overview

      • Multimedia Gallery

      • All Multimedia
      • All Photos
      • All Videos
      • Multimedia Gallery Overview

      • Trending Topics

      • All Trending Topics
  • Business
      • Auto & Transportation

      • All Automotive & Transportation
      • Aerospace, Defense
      • Air Freight
      • Airlines & Aviation
      • Automotive
      • Maritime & Shipbuilding
      • Railroads and Intermodal Transportation
      • Supply Chain/Logistics
      • Transportation, Trucking & Railroad
      • Travel
      • Trucking and Road Transportation
      • Auto & Transportation Overview

      • View All Auto & Transportation

      • Business Technology

      • All Business Technology
      • Blockchain
      • Broadcast Tech
      • Computer & Electronics
      • Computer Hardware
      • Computer Software
      • Data Analytics
      • Electronic Commerce
      • Electronic Components
      • Electronic Design Automation
      • Financial Technology
      • High Tech Security
      • Internet Technology
      • Nanotechnology
      • Networks
      • Peripherals
      • Semiconductors
      • Business Technology Overview

      • View All Business Technology

      • Entertain­ment & Media

      • All Entertain­ment & Media
      • Advertising
      • Art
      • Books
      • Entertainment
      • Film and Motion Picture
      • Magazines
      • Music
      • Publishing & Information Services
      • Radio & Podcast
      • Television
      • Entertain­ment & Media Overview

      • View All Entertain­ment & Media

      • Financial Services & Investing

      • All Financial Services & Investing
      • Accounting News & Issues
      • Acquisitions, Mergers and Takeovers
      • Banking & Financial Services
      • Bankruptcy
      • Bond & Stock Ratings
      • Conference Call Announcements
      • Contracts
      • Cryptocurrency
      • Dividends
      • Earnings
      • Earnings Forecasts & Projections
      • Financing Agreements
      • Insurance
      • Investments Opinions
      • Joint Ventures
      • Mutual Funds
      • Private Placement
      • Real Estate
      • Restructuring & Recapitalization
      • Sales Reports
      • Shareholder Activism
      • Shareholder Meetings
      • Stock Offering
      • Stock Split
      • Venture Capital
      • Financial Services & Investing Overview

      • View All Financial Services & Investing

      • General Business

      • All General Business
      • Awards
      • Commercial Real Estate
      • Corporate Expansion
      • Earnings
      • Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
      • Human Resource & Workforce Management
      • Licensing
      • New Products & Services
      • Obituaries
      • Outsourcing Businesses
      • Personnel Announcements
      • Real Estate Transactions
      • Residential Real Estate
      • Small Business Services
      • Socially Responsible Investing
      • Surveys, Polls and Research
      • Trade Show News
      • General Business Overview

      • View All General Business

  • Science & Tech
      • Consumer Technology

      • All Consumer Technology
      • Artificial Intelligence
      • Blockchain
      • Cloud Computing/Internet of Things
      • Computer Electronics
      • Computer Hardware
      • Computer Software
      • Consumer Electronics
      • Cryptocurrency
      • Data Analytics
      • Electronic Commerce
      • Electronic Gaming
      • Financial Technology
      • Mobile Entertainment
      • Multimedia & Internet
      • Peripherals
      • Social Media
      • STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math)
      • Supply Chain/Logistics
      • Wireless Communications
      • Consumer Technology Overview

      • View All Consumer Technology

      • Energy & Natural Resources

      • All Energy
      • Alternative Energies
      • Chemical
      • Electrical Utilities
      • Gas
      • General Manufacturing
      • Mining
      • Mining & Metals
      • Oil & Energy
      • Oil and Gas Discoveries
      • Utilities
      • Water Utilities
      • Energy & Natural Resources Overview

      • View All Energy & Natural Resources

      • Environ­ment

      • All Environ­ment
      • Conservation & Recycling
      • Environmental Issues
      • Environmental Policy
      • Environmental Products & Services
      • Green Technology
      • Natural Disasters
      • Environ­ment Overview

      • View All Environ­ment

      • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing

      • All Heavy Industry & Manufacturing
      • Aerospace & Defense
      • Agriculture
      • Chemical
      • Construction & Building
      • General Manufacturing
      • HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning)
      • Machinery
      • Machine Tools, Metalworking and Metallurgy
      • Mining
      • Mining & Metals
      • Paper, Forest Products & Containers
      • Precious Metals
      • Textiles
      • Tobacco
      • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing Overview

      • View All Heavy Industry & Manufacturing

      • Telecomm­unications

      • All Telecomm­unications
      • Carriers and Services
      • Mobile Entertainment
      • Networks
      • Peripherals
      • Telecommunications Equipment
      • Telecommunications Industry
      • VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
      • Wireless Communications
      • Telecomm­unications Overview

      • View All Telecomm­unications

  • Lifestyle & Health
      • Consumer Products & Retail

      • All Consumer Products & Retail
      • Animals & Pets
      • Beers, Wines and Spirits
      • Beverages
      • Bridal Services
      • Cannabis
      • Cosmetics and Personal Care
      • Fashion
      • Food & Beverages
      • Furniture and Furnishings
      • Home Improvement
      • Household, Consumer & Cosmetics
      • Household Products
      • Jewelry
      • Non-Alcoholic Beverages
      • Office Products
      • Organic Food
      • Product Recalls
      • Restaurants
      • Retail
      • Supermarkets
      • Toys
      • Consumer Products & Retail Overview

      • View All Consumer Products & Retail

      • Entertain­ment & Media

      • All Entertain­ment & Media
      • Advertising
      • Art
      • Books
      • Entertainment
      • Film and Motion Picture
      • Magazines
      • Music
      • Publishing & Information Services
      • Radio & Podcast
      • Television
      • Entertain­ment & Media Overview

      • View All Entertain­ment & Media

      • Health

      • All Health
      • Biometrics
      • Biotechnology
      • Clinical Trials & Medical Discoveries
      • Dentistry
      • FDA Approval
      • Fitness/Wellness
      • Health Care & Hospitals
      • Health Insurance
      • Infection Control
      • International Medical Approval
      • Medical Equipment
      • Medical Pharmaceuticals
      • Mental Health
      • Pharmaceuticals
      • Supplementary Medicine
      • Health Overview

      • View All Health

      • Sports

      • All Sports
      • General Sports
      • Outdoors, Camping & Hiking
      • Sporting Events
      • Sports Equipment & Accessories
      • Sports Overview

      • View All Sports

      • Travel

      • All Travel
      • Amusement Parks and Tourist Attractions
      • Gambling & Casinos
      • Hotels and Resorts
      • Leisure & Tourism
      • Outdoors, Camping & Hiking
      • Passenger Aviation
      • Travel Industry
      • Travel Overview

      • View All Travel

  • Policy & Public Interest
      • Policy & Public Interest

      • All Policy & Public Interest
      • Advocacy Group Opinion
      • Animal Welfare
      • Canadian Federal Government
      • Canadian Municipal Government
      • Canadian Provincial Government
      • Corporate Social Responsibility
      • Domestic Policy
      • Economic News, Trends, Analysis
      • Education
      • Environmental
      • European Government
      • FDA Approval
      • Federal and State Legislation
      • Federal Executive Branch & Agency
      • Foreign Policy & International Affairs
      • Homeland Security
      • Labor & Union
      • Legal Issues
      • Natural Disasters
      • Not For Profit
      • Patent Law
      • Public Safety
      • Trade Policy
      • Policy & Public Interest Overview

      • View All Policy & Public Interest

  • People & Culture
      • People & Culture

      • All People & Culture
      • Aboriginal, First Nations & Native American
      • African American
      • Asian American
      • Children
      • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
      • Hispanic
      • Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual
      • Men's Interest
      • People with Disabilities
      • Religion
      • Senior Citizens
      • Veterans
      • Women
      • People & Culture Overview

      • View All People & Culture

  • Advanced Search
  • Overview
  • Multichannel Amplification
  • Monitoring
  • Distribution
  • Multimedia
  • Guaranteed Paid Placement
  • AI Tools
  • IR
  • Become a Client
  • Request a Demo
  • Editorial Bureaus
  • Partnerships
  • General Enquiries
  • Media
  • Worldwide Offices
  • Hamburger menu
  • Cision Canada
  • Send a Release
  • FR
    • Phone

    • 877-269-7890 from 8 AM - 10 PM ET

    • ALL CONTACT INFO
    • Contact Cision

      877-269-7890
      from 8 AM - 10 PM ET

  • Send a Release
  • Sign Up
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists
  • Webcasts
  • GDPR
  • News in Focus
    • Browse All News
    • Multimedia Gallery
    • Trending Topics
  • Business
    • Auto & Transportation
    • Business Technology
    • Entertain­ment & Media
    • Financial Services & Investing
    • General Business
  • Science & Tech
    • Consumer Technology
    • Energy & Natural Resources
    • Environ­ment
    • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing
    • Telecomm­unications
  • Lifestyle & Health
    • Consumer Products & Retail
    • Entertain­ment & Media
    • Health
    • Sports
    • Travel
  • Policy & Public Interest
    • Policy & Public Interest
  • People & Culture
    • People & Culture
  • Send a Release
  • Sign Up
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists
  • Webcasts
  • GDPR
  • Overview
  • Multichannel Amplification
  • Monitoring
  • Distribution
  • Multimedia
  • Guaranteed Paid Placement
  • AI Tools
  • IR
  • Send a Release
  • Sign Up
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists
  • Webcasts
  • GDPR
  • Become a Client
  • Request a Demo
  • Editorial Bureaus
  • Partnerships
  • General Enquiries
  • Media
  • Worldwide Offices
  • Send a Release
  • Sign Up
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists
  • Webcasts
  • GDPR

Precision matching for kidney transplants: BC project targets reduced rejections and elimination of need for lifelong medication

Genome BC, a non-profit, supports genomics research to grow life sciences and improve lives in BC, Canada & beyond. Their work advances healthcare, tackles environmental challenges, and promotes public understanding of genomics. genomebc.ca (CNW Group/Genome British Columbia)

News provided by

Genome British Columbia

May 30, 2024, 13:30 ET

Share this article

Share toX

Share this article

Share toX

VANCOUVER, BC, May 30, 2024 /CNW/ - British Columbia has been selected as the test bed for a potentially game-changing genomics project to improve kidney transplant outcomes across Canada in partnership with Canadian Blood Services — the national coordinator of transplant services. This project, funded by Genome British Columbia, Genome Canada, Michael Smith Health Research BC and others, seeks to significantly reduce organ rejection rates, improve patient outcomes and save millions of dollars in healthcare costs.

BC researchers are pioneering epitope matching for kidney transplants. This could significantly improve patient outcomes by reducing rejection rates and potentially eliminating the need for lifelong immunosuppression. (Photo Credit Jacob Wackerhausen/iStockphoto) (CNW Group/Genome British Columbia)
BC researchers are pioneering epitope matching for kidney transplants. This could significantly improve patient outcomes by reducing rejection rates and potentially eliminating the need for lifelong immunosuppression. (Photo Credit Jacob Wackerhausen/iStockphoto) (CNW Group/Genome British Columbia)
Lab technicians Vince Benedicto, Brendan McKenzie and Edlyn Dunlop by the Oxford Nanopore GridIon. (Photo Credit Sari Nobell) (CNW Group/Genome British Columbia)
Lab technicians Vince Benedicto, Brendan McKenzie and Edlyn Dunlop by the Oxford Nanopore GridIon. (Photo Credit Sari Nobell) (CNW Group/Genome British Columbia)
Dr. Paul Keown is a specialist in immunology and transplantation, a professor in UBC’s Dept. of Medicine and a practicing physician at Vancouver General Hospital. (CNW Group/Genome British Columbia)
Dr. Paul Keown is a specialist in immunology and transplantation, a professor in UBC’s Dept. of Medicine and a practicing physician at Vancouver General Hospital. (CNW Group/Genome British Columbia)
Setting up a DNA sequencing run on an Oxford Nanopore GridIon. (Photo Credit Sari Nobell) (CNW Group/Genome British Columbia)
Setting up a DNA sequencing run on an Oxford Nanopore GridIon. (Photo Credit Sari Nobell) (CNW Group/Genome British Columbia)
Wet lab preparation of a DNA sequencing run. (Photo Credit Sari Nobell) (CNW Group/Genome British Columbia)
Wet lab preparation of a DNA sequencing run. (Photo Credit Sari Nobell) (CNW Group/Genome British Columbia)
Scientists Jenny Tran, Logan Tate and Franz Fenninger examine test results. (Photo Credit Sari Nobell) (CNW Group/Genome British Columbia)
Scientists Jenny Tran, Logan Tate and Franz Fenninger examine test results. (Photo Credit Sari Nobell) (CNW Group/Genome British Columbia)

"Our research is introducing a new form of precision medicine for transplant patients that could ultimately reduce the need for subsequent organ transplants," says Dr. Paul Keown, the lead researcher for the BC based project. "By reducing the risk of immune response through epitope-matching, we can give organ transplant patients the best chance at long-standing organ health with fewer complications."

"By integrating genomics and precision medicine, we are setting a new standard in transplant care. Advanced epitope-matching techniques allow us to tailor treatments to each patient's unique genetic profile, significantly reducing the risk of organ rejection. This project is a testament to the critical role of multidisciplinary collaboration in advancing medical innovation and enhancing patient care. Through such initiatives, we are not just improving outcomes — we are reshaping the future of healthcare." says Dr. Federica Di Palma, Chief Scientific Officer and Vice President of Research and Innovation, Genome BC. 

World-First Epitope Matching for Better Transplants

The project will implement a world-first epitope-based matching program for kidney transplants. Epitopes are segments of a crucial protein called Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA), which the body uses to distinguish itself from foreign entities. When the immune system detects foreign HLA or epitopes, such as those from a donor organ, it launches an attack. This immune response can be particularly dangerous for organ transplant patients, as it may lead to organ rejection, organ failure, the need for another transplant and potentially death.

By focusing on epitope matching, researchers hope to significantly reduce the risk of organ rejection, a major complication that can lead to graft failure and the need for lifelong immunosuppressive therapy. "Epitope-matching may soon enable us to limit the use of potent immunosuppression medications and see virtually no organ rejection among organ transplant patients." says Keown.

BC Well Positioned for Success

BC is a leader in organ transplantation research in Canada, driven by robust health research infrastructure, high donor rates and excellent clinical outcomes. Dr. Paul Keown's extensive contributions to medical science and his leadership in transplantation and immunology have made him a well known and highly regarded figure in his field.  As a result, the province is well recognized for its pioneering work in precision medicine and genetic matching to reduce organ rejection rates, which positions it at the forefront of transplant research innovations.

Every organ donation is truly a precious gift and BC Transplant is committed to exploring every option available to ensure these gifts have the longest life possible," says Dr. Eric Lun, Executive Director of BC Transplant. "We are excited to support this ground-breaking initiative that aims to improve outcomes and quality of life for transplant recipients."

National Benefits Expected

The project is expected to have a significant national impact. When implemented across Canada, researchers conservatively estimate it could save the health system $100 million per year through preventing hospitalization, premature graft loss and death.

The Federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, François-Philippe Champagne, announced federal support for this project along with seven other new genomics research projects and four technology platforms this morning at Genome Canada's national launch event in Ottawa.

About Genome British Columbia:

Genome BC is a not-for-profit organization supporting world-class genomics research and innovation to grow globally competitive life sciences sectors and deliver sustainable benefits for British Columbia, Canada and beyond. The organization's initiatives are improving the lives of British Columbians by advancing health care as well as addressing environmental and natural resource challenges. In addition to scientific programming, Genome BC works to integrate genomics into society by supporting responsible research and innovation and fostering an understanding and appreciation of the life sciences among educators, students and the public. genomebc.ca

SOURCE Genome British Columbia

Brad Lyle, Communications Manager, Genome British Columbia, 778.999.8195, [email protected]

Modal title

Organization Profile

Genome British Columbia

    Also from this source

  • Helping the BC Wine Industry Beat the Heat: Scientists Seek Genomic Solutions to Grapevine Heat Stress

  • New Genomics Investments Expand eDNA Monitoring in BC's Remote and Indigenous Communities

  • BC Researchers Awarded Over $49 Million for Advancements in Hereditary Cancer Care, Child Drug Safety and Heart Health

Contact Cision

  • 866-245-2317
    from 8 AM - 10 PM ET
  • Become a Client
  • Request a Demo
  • Editorial Bureaus
  • Partnerships
  • General Enquiries
  • Media

Products

  • Cision Communications Cloud®
  • Media Monitoring
  • Content Distribution
  • Multimedia Distribution
  • Measurement & Analytics
  • Investor Relations

About

  • About Cision Canada
  • About Cision
  • Media Partners
  • Careers
  • Accessibility Statement
  • APAC
  • APAC - Simplified Chinese
  • APAC - Traditional Chinese
  • Brazil
  • Canada
  • Czech
  • Denmark
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Israel
  • Japan
  • Korea
  • Mexico
  • Middle East
  • Middle East - Arabic
  • Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Russia
  • Slovakia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • United States
  • Vietnam

My Services

  • All News Releases
  • Platform
  • Next Gen Communications Cloud
  • Cision Communications Cloud®
  • my CNW

Do not sell or share my personal information:

  • Submit via [email protected] 
  • Call Privacy toll-free: 877-297-8921

Contact Cision

Products

About

My Services
  • All News Releases
  • Platform
  • Next Gen Communications Cloud
  • Cision Communications Cloud
  • my CNW
877-269-7890
from 8 AM - 10 PM ET
  • Terms of Use
  • Information Security Policy
  • Site Map
  • Cookie Settings
  • Accessibility Statement
Copyright © 2025 CNW Group Ltd. All Rights Reserved. A Cision company.