Lof der Geneeskunst is Erasmus MC's free public lecture. This year's theme is 'Organ transplantation'. Top researchers Marlies Reinders, Robert Porte and Amir Zadpoor from Erasmus MC and TU Delft will tell you which medical breakthroughs have made transplantation possible and give a glimpse into the future.
Whereas organ transplantation was initially mainly a surgical-technical challenge, later rejection of the transplanted organ by the patient's body proved an obstacle to long-term success. Ever-improving drugs have led to personalised suppression of the recipient's immune system and a high probability of acceptance of a donor organ. This greatly improves the life expectancy and quality of life of recipients. In many cases, they can resume their lives and require relatively little medical care.
But organs suitable for transplantation remain scarce. Patient waiting lists are long. Promising research is focusing on recovery of donated organs through 'machine perfusion'. This involves improving the condition of donor organs that would otherwise not be suitable for transplantation in a technical installation outside the body.
The future: boosting and growing organs
Researchers thus increasingly understand how to 'boost' organs. With this knowledge, it is also conceivable to grow organs outside the body. So-called 'organ-on-a-chip' technology is already being used for scientific research. Will we also make organs for transplantation with a 3D printer in the future?
Codarts
Between the presentations by the three speakers, students from Codarts Hogeschool voor de Kunsten will give circus, music and dance performances. Praise will take place in de Doelen on Friday 6 October 2023 from 14.30 to 16.30 and will end with a snack and drink. From the end of June, you can register for free via this link.