Improving outcomes for patients by increasing the number and improving the quality of organs for transplantation
Building collaborations between leading scientists and clinicians and developing future researchers in transplantation
Providing a flourishing environment for the active and meaningful involvement of patients and the public in our work
Reducing the demand for re-transplantation through improved donor–recipient compatibility

The National Institute for Health Research Blood and Transplant Research Unit (NIHR BTRU) in Organ Donation and Transplantation is a strategic partnership between the University of Cambridge and Newcastle University, and their associated transplant units, and NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT). Launched on 1 October 2015, the unit is led by Professor Mike Nicholson (Director, Cambridge) and Professor Andy Fisher (Deputy Director, Newcastle) and is receiving £3.8M of funding from the NIHR over five years to support key staff, trainees and consumables. The overarching aim of our BTRU is to develop and evaluate novel approaches and technologies that will increase the availability of suitable donor organs for transplantation, while improving graft survival. To help achieve our aim we are strengthening existing links and building new collaborations between leading scientists and clinicians to create a BTRU that attracts the best young doctors and scientists and helps them develop into the future researchers in transplantation.