Published Date:
24 January 2009
UK transplant surgeons could be the first in the world to use a new test aimed at extending the availability of useful organs.
The test, developed by scientists at Glasgow University, enables donor kidneys to be tested for "biological" rather than chronological age. This will allow surgeons to use an organ from a 70-year-old knowing it is in better shape than one from an unhealthy 50-year-old, which would have been expected to function better.
Dr Paul Shiels, who led the research, said: "Until now the best indicator has been the chronological age of the donor but we now think the biological age of the organ is more important."
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Last Updated:
23 January 2009 10:13 PM
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Source:
The Scotsman
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Location:
Edinburgh
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Related Topics:
Organ donation
