The key objectives of the BTRU are
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Improving outcomes for patients by increasing the number and improving the quality of organs for transplantation
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Building collaborations between leading scientists and clinicians and developing future researchers in transplantation
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Providing a flourishing environment for the active and meaningful involvement of patients and the public in our work
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Addressing inequalities in access to transplantation through engagement with underserved communities
About Us
The National Institute for Health and Care Research Blood and Transplant Research Unit in Organ Donation and Transplantation (NIHR BTRU in ODT) is part of the NIHR and is a partnership between NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), the University of Cambridge and Newcastle University. The unit is led by Professor Mike Nicholson (Director, Cambridge) and Professor Andy Fisher (Deputy Director, Newcastle).
Launched on 1 April 2022, our unit provides a centre of excellence dedicated to research into organ donation and transplantation. It builds on the body of research completed under the 2015–2022 NIHR BTRU in ODT.
The overarching aims are to increase the number of organs available, improve long-term outcomes and improve quality of life after transplant. A major focus is to identify those who are not best served by current services and to improve access to transplantation.
Patients and the wider public have a pivotal role to play in our work. Through our Get involved programme we ensure that the research questions we explore are the ones that matter and will make a difference to the everyday lives of transplant patients and their families.
We are also committed to education and training, creating an environment that attracts the best young doctors, scientists and healthcare researchers and helps them to develop into future leaders in transplantation research to leave an appropriate legacy beyond the current research programme.
Ultimately, our ambition is to deliver a step change in the understanding of how best to deliver transplant services to the UK population, ensuring more people get the transplants they need and go on to live healthy and fulfilling lives.
Our NIHR BTRU is one of five units. The NIHR has awarded £20 million over 5 years to these units to research new technologies and techniques that will benefit donation, transfusion, and transplantation. NIHR BTRUs undertake research to improve the supply of blood, plasma, stem cells, and organs for transplantation.
