BIDMC's Division of Transplant Immunology has international
reputations for excellence and innovation. The center attracts
students, fellows and post-doctoral individuals from around the
world. Terry B. Strom, MD, Co-Chief Laurence Turka, MD, Co-Chief
Xian C. Li, MD, PhD Wenda Gao, MD, PhD The Challenge: Organ
Rejection Transplant patients and physicians face a significant
challenge: organ rejection. Our bodies' immune systems are
naturally designed to do battle with "foreign invaders." Under
normal circumstances, this system is highly effective,
protecting us from viruses, bacteria and other infections.
However, our immune systems are not as successful at
differentiating between dangerous foreign bodies (for instance,
bacterial infections) and beneficial intruders (such as a new
kidney, liver or pancreas). For organ transplant patients, the
normally protective immune response can threaten the longevity
and function of the transplanted organ. Currently, organ
transplant patients must take immunosuppressive or