Release date: 19/11/2009
Unlocking the mysteries of transplanted lung rejection is the top priority of a new laboratory opening at The Prince Charles Hospital tomorrow.
“Many patients are saved by their transplant only to later suffer from rejection of the new lungs,” says Dr Dan Chambers, Head of Research for the Queensland Centre for Pulmonary Transplantation and Vascular Disease. The Queensland Centre for Pulmonary Transplantation and Vascular Disease research lab will initially focus on early detection of transplanted lung rejection and stem cell therapy. The lab has been equipped largely through funds donated to The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation Trust by patients and their families. The new lab has been set up by Chief Scientist Dr Stephanie Yerkovich who has extensive experience in immunology and respiratory diseases. “The great thing about basing the lab at The Prince Charles Hospital rather than off-site is that I can walk into theatre, collect a tissue sample and take it straight to the lab,” Dr Yerkovich said. “We have scientists, clinicians and patients all working together as a team.” The Queensland Centre for Pulmonary Transplantation and Vascular Disease is already leading the world in lung transplant research. Earlier this year they had 12 presentations at the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation meeting in Paris. Next year, in Chicago, the group will have 18 presentations, significantly more than any other transplant program in the world and will be presenting their ground-breaking findings to other world leaders. Their achievement also means that Australia will be one of the leading countries at the conference. The Centre’s Head of Research, transplant physician Dr Dan Chambers, says this is only the beginning for his talented team who have recently made some significant discoveries which bode well for patients with lung disease. “We have discovered a new type of cell in the blood of our transplant patients which is probably a type of stem cell. The cells seem to come from the bone marrow and track to the lungs,” Dr Chambers said. “From our research to date, we think they may help repair the injured lung naturally. If we can find a way to manipulate them, we would be able to help people with a variety of lung diseases, such as asthma, lung fibrosis and emphysema as well as transplant recipients.” The new lab will feature a flow cytometer, a powerful machine which can accurately identify the cells in a clinical sample. The team has combined this technology with a new technique to sample the tiniest airways in the transplanted lungs to create a new test for lung rejection. “Many patients are saved by their lung transplant only to later suffer from chronic rejection of the tiny airways in the new lungs. Up until now there has not been a good test available to find rejection in this area, so a lot of management is little more than guess work. Our new test will allow us to identify and correct a problem early and ensure our patients have a long and healthy life after their transplant. “The new lab will give us a fast test which will directly help us save lives. At the same time it will supercharge our research effort,” Dr Chambers said. The Prince Charles Hospital is one of only four lung transplant centres in Australia and the only hospital which performs triple organ heart-lung-liver transplants. The Queensland Centre for Pulmonary Transplantation and Vascular Disease research laboratory will be officially opened by the Hon Stirling Hinchliffe MP on Friday 20 November at 9.30am. Download the media release (pdf)
Media contacts: Christine Atkinson, The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation ph (07) 3139 6350