A new technique that utilises redox profiling to assess mitochondrial health could alter how doctors evaluate donor organs. This approach may help reduce transplant failure rates and lead to better results for patients.
The success of organ transplantations faces several hurdles, such as biological mismatch and poor tissue quality. To address this challenge, NADMED – a Finnish biotechnology company, announced the first recipient of its $30,000 NADMED Award, a research project from the Schlegel Lab at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.
The research investigates metabolic injury in preserved organs and the impact of different machine perfusion strategies using Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD)/nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide with hydrogen (NADH) redox profiling. A Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) of world-leading experts in metabolism and mitochondrial medicine selected this research—led by Dr Keyue Sun—which aims to develop a more precise method for assessing donor organ viability before surgery, directly affecting patient outcomes.
Redox Biology to Determine Organ Viability
During the transition from a donor to a recipient, a transplant organ sustains ischaemia, which is followed by reperfusion. These phases frequently precipitate “ischaemia-reperfusion injury,” which is a primary driver of poor transplant outcomes. Dr Sun’s research investigates metabolic organ quality during this fragile state by using NAD/NADH redox profiling.
Historically, determining the optimal organ health for transplantation has been a major challenge. This new research shifts the focus from merely identifying injury in the mitochondrial complex-1 to measuring actual organ function.
By profiling redox metabolites, transplant teams can gain a clearer understanding of an organ’s status and function in real-time.
The first CE-marked Diagnosis
NAD and its reduced form, NADH, are essential coenzymes that facilitate energy production within cells. Mitochondrial dysfunction, altered NAD metabolism, and disrupted redox balance have been associated with rare genetic and neurological diseases, as well as chronic conditions. However, current clinical tools have proven inadequate in detecting these dysfunctions. Identifying NAD/NADH patterns for organ assessment can be a breakthrough in enhancing decision-making before transplantation surgeries.
NADMED – founded in 2022 and funded by the University of Helsinki, has developed the first CE-marked diagnostic solution that measures all four NAD coenzymes directly from biological samples, including fresh blood.
“We are grateful to receive this support… which enables us to further expand the scope of our organ viability testing from mitochondrial complex I injury to complex I function,” stated Dr Sun. Professor Andrea Schlegel, a leader in mitochondrial transplant research, affirmed that this collaboration will advance the field by strengthening the “mechanistic understanding of mitochondrial injury.”
Technological Innovation and Global Demand
The award highlights the growing clinical utility of NADMED’s technology. By providing a clear snapshot of redox balance, this technology enables researchers to apply biology to answer urgent clinical questions, such as whether a donor liver or kidney can withstand the stress of transplantation.
Professor Charles Brenner, a member of the scientific jury, noted that such projects are essential for translating laboratory discoveries into “important diagnostics” and therapeutic developments. The jury, which also included Professor Rita Horvath of the University of Cambridge and Dr Helen Messier, evaluated the Cleveland Clinic proposal based on its strong scientific foundation and its direct potential to improve clinical decision-making.
The Future of Transplantation
The funding of high-impact researches like that of Dr Sun, signifies that the biotechnology sector is progressing towards devising clinical diagnostics that improve patient outcomes. These innovations enhance precision in clinical procedures – ensuring no viable organ goes to waste and every patient receives the best possible chance at a healthy recovery.
Keywords: Organ transplantation, redox biology, mitochondrial medicine, NAD/NADH profiling, ischaemia-reperfusion injury, clinical diagnostics.
Suggested Reads:
https://www.helsinki.fi/en/researchgroups/mitochondrial-medicine/nadmed
