{"id":34937,"date":"2026-09-29T21:20:16","date_gmt":"2026-09-30T01:20:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cdtrp.ca\/?p=34937"},"modified":"2026-09-29T21:20:16","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T01:20:16","slug":"organ-donation-and-transplant-research-foundation-of-bc-cdtrp-venture-grants-dr-bleszynski-and-dr-colucci","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cdtrp.ca\/en\/organ-donation-and-transplant-research-foundation-of-bc-cdtrp-venture-grants-dr-bleszynski-and-dr-colucci\/","title":{"rendered":"Organ Donation and Transplant Research Foundation of BC\/CDTRP Venture Grants: Dr. Bleszynski and Dr. Colucci"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1216.8px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-dropshadow imageframe-1 hover-type-none\" style=\"-webkit-box-shadow: 3px 3px 7px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);box-shadow: 3px 3px 7px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" title=\"2026 Innovation Grant_ODTRF1\" src=\"https:\/\/cdtrp.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/2026-Innovation-Grant_ODTRF1.png\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/cdtrp.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/2026-Innovation-Grant_ODTRF1.png\" alt class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-34940\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271600%27%20height%3D%27900%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201600%20900%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271600%27%20height%3D%27900%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cdtrp.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/2026-Innovation-Grant_ODTRF1-200x113.png 200w, https:\/\/cdtrp.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/2026-Innovation-Grant_ODTRF1-400x225.png 400w, https:\/\/cdtrp.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/2026-Innovation-Grant_ODTRF1-600x338.png 600w, https:\/\/cdtrp.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/2026-Innovation-Grant_ODTRF1-800x450.png 800w, https:\/\/cdtrp.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/2026-Innovation-Grant_ODTRF1-1200x675.png 1200w, https:\/\/cdtrp.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/2026-Innovation-Grant_ODTRF1.png 1600w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/span><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:30px;margin-bottom:30px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-1\"><p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 &#091;&#093;\"><strong>CDTRP 2026 Research Innovation Grant Competition Results<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 &#091;&#093;\">CDTRP is thrilled to announce the results of the <a class=\"ProsemirrorEditor-link\" href=\"https:\/\/cdtrp.ca\/en\/announcing-the-results-of-the-2026-cdtrp-research-innovation-grant-competition-7-new-projects-funded\/\">CDTRP 2026 Research Innovation Grant Competition<\/a>, made possible through our partnership with various esteemed organizations. We are proud to showcase all of the exciting projects that have been funded in this year\u2019s competition.<\/p>\n<p>We would like to extend our warmest congratulations to <strong>Dr. Michael Bleszynski and Dr. Nicola Colucci<\/strong> and their team for being awarded the <strong>Organ Donation and Transplant Research Foundation of BC\/CDTRP Venture Grants.<\/strong> We wish them all the best as they embark on their innovative project!<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:30px;margin-bottom:30px;width:100%;\"><div class=\"fusion-separator-border sep-double sep-solid\" style=\"--awb-height:20px;--awb-amount:20px;border-color:#e0dede;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-width:1px;\"><\/div><\/div><style type='text\/css'>.reading-box-container-1 .element-bottomshadow:before,.reading-box-container-1 .element-bottomshadow:after{opacity:0.7;}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-reading-box-container reading-box-container-1\" style=\"--awb-title-color:#333c4e;--awb-margin-top:0px;--awb-margin-bottom:84px;\"><div class=\"reading-box\" style=\"background-color:#f6f6f6;border-width:1px;border-color:#f6f6f6;border-left-width:3px;border-left-color:var(--primary_color);border-style:solid;\"><div class=\"reading-box-additional\">\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 &#091;&#093;\"><em>&#8220;Research is the driving force behind progress in organ donation and transplantation. These ODTRF-funded projects showcase the innovative thinking and collaboration needed to advance the field\u2014from improving outcomes for patients undergoing islet cell transplantation to deepening our understanding of the impact of direct contact between donor families and recipients. We are proud to support research that strengthens both the science and the human experience of organ donation and transplantation.<\/em>&#8220;<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Rachael Durie, Co-Chair, Organ Donation and Transplant Research Foundation of BC<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-2\"><p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 &#091;&#093;\"><strong>Organ Donation and Transplant Research Foundation of BC\/CDTRP Venture Grants<\/strong>\u00a0<strong>: Dr. Michael Bleszynski and Dr. Nicola Colucci<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Project Title: <\/strong>Eliminating Static Cold Ischemia in Pancreas Preservation: A Pilot Study of Continuous Hypothermic Perfusion from Donor Procurement to Islet Isolation<\/p>\n<p><strong>Main affiliation: <\/strong>University of British Columbia<\/p>\n<p><strong>Theme: 3 \u2013 <\/strong>Engineer and Allocate Better Grafts<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-3\"><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Lay Abstract<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><style type='text\/css'>.reading-box-container-2 .element-bottomshadow:before,.reading-box-container-2 .element-bottomshadow:after{opacity:0.7;}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-reading-box-container reading-box-container-2\" style=\"--awb-title-color:#333c4e;--awb-margin-top:0px;--awb-margin-bottom:84px;\"><div class=\"reading-box\" style=\"background-color:#f6f6f6;border-width:1px;border-color:#f6f6f6;border-left-width:3px;border-left-color:var(--primary_color);border-style:solid;\"><div class=\"reading-box-additional\">\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 &#091;&#093;\">When a pancreas is donated for transplantation, it must be preserved during transport from the donor hospital to the transplant center. Today, this is done by placing the organ on ice. While cooling slows down damage, it does not stop it completely. Much like food kept in a refrigerator, the organ continues to slowly deteriorate over time. For the pancreas, this is especially important because the insulin-producing cells (islets) are very sensitive and can be easily damaged. As a result, many donated pancreases yield too few healthy cells, and patients often need cells from multiple donors to become insulin-free.<\/p>\n<p>This study is testing a new way to better protect the pancreas during this critical period. Instead of placing the organ on ice, we will connect it to a machine immediately after donation that gently pumps a cold, oxygen-rich fluid through it. This keeps the tissue actively supported during the journey, providing vital oxygen and nutrients instead of leaving it to slowly degrade.<\/p>\n<p>We will compare this method to the current standard by studying high-quality pancreases that cannot be used for transplant due to matching issues. We will measure how well the insulin-producing cells function and how healthy they are.<\/p>\n<p>Our ultimate goal is to preserve more viable cells from each donated pancreas. If successful, this approach could reduce the number of donors needed per patient and support better, longer-lasting transplant outcomes.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:30px;margin-bottom:30px;width:100%;\"><div class=\"fusion-separator-border sep-double sep-solid\" style=\"--awb-height:20px;--awb-amount:20px;border-color:#e0dede;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-width:1px;\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-4\"><h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cdtrp.ca\/en\/announcing-the-results-of-the-2026-cdtrp-research-innovation-grant-competition-7-new-projects-funded\/\"><strong>View the results of the 2026 CDTRP Research Innovation Grant Competition.<\/strong><\/a><\/h5>\n<h5 class=\"fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"text-align: center;\" data-fontsize=\"20\" data-lineheight=\"30px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cdtrp.ca\/en\/cdtrp-innovation-grant-winners\/\">View past CDTRP Innovation Grants recipients here.<\/a><\/h5>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":34940,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,75],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-34937","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general","category-featured"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cdtrp.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34937","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cdtrp.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cdtrp.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cdtrp.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cdtrp.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34937"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cdtrp.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34937\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34946,"href":"https:\/\/cdtrp.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34937\/revisions\/34946"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cdtrp.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/34940"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cdtrp.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34937"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cdtrp.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34937"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cdtrp.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34937"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}