Transplant Research and ImmunoBiology Institute (TRII)

The Transplant Research and ImmunoBiology Institute (TRII) is a strategic initiative encompassing clinical/basic science research, immunoengineering, and clinical translation with a mission to change the paradigm of clinical transplantation by improving the quality of life and longevity of patients through transformative, world-class innovation; and to train the next generation of physicians and scientists dedicated to the art and science of transplantation.

MUSC Health is proud to be one of the largest clinical trial and research enrollment centers in the United States. Currently, we’re involved in more than 20 clinical trials and research initiatives to improve all aspects of organ transplantation.

Additionally, MUSC Health’s Center for Cellular Therapy is one of 20 centers nationwide that the Food and Drug Administration recognizes as a cGMP-level facility. This designation helps us discover and manufacture innovative cellular products in our laboratories, and we’re performing exciting new clinical trials with these products.

Abdominal Transplant Research

To advance the field of abdominal organ transplantation, which includes kidney, pancreas, and liver transplants, we’re researching donor management, organ management, artificial tissue engineering, and nanotherapy.

• Currently, 19 clinical trials are taking place to examine different medications commonly used for patients receiving an organ transplant.
• We’ve increased clinical trial enrollment among some specific high-risk populations, which helps us better understand how the body uses certain medications.
• Our researchers developed and patented a nanoparticle that delivers anti-rejection medication directly to a transplanted organ. This exciting new technology preserves the body’s immune system and is already in the pre-clinical-trial phase.
• Our transplant analytics group uses emerging technologies, including IBM Watson, to improve transplant care and predictive models.

Heart Transplant Research

We’re working to advance our knowledge of heart disease and heart transplant for patients of all ages:

• We’re developing new ways to manage heart failure before transplant, using medication therapy and mechanical support devices (heart pumps).
• MUSC Children’s Health is a proud member of the Pediatric Heart Network and the Pediatric Heart Transplant Society. These specialized groups work with institutions like the National Institutes of Health to perform clinical research studies on pediatric heart disease and mechanical heart pumps.
• We’re working toward becoming one of the first members of the Pediatric Heart Failure Collaboration, which will examine ways to manage heart failure in children before transplant.

Lung Transplant Research

Our lung research focuses on improving quality of life for people with advanced lung disease and those that have undergone lung transplant.

• MUSC Health is one of the largest research centers in the country for pulmonary fibrosis. We work closely with the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation to advance our understanding of the disease and therapies to treat it.
• As a designated Cystic Fibrosis Center, MUSC Health is heavily involved in clinical trials that help people with cystic fibrosis manage their lung disease so they can breathe easier. We are also a proud member of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Therapeutics Development Network.