"Dr. Gavin Richardson and his team at Newcastle University are studying 'Zombie' cells for heart transplants."
Unleashing a fresh wave of hope for heart transplant patients, a team of researchers at Newcastle University, led by Dr. Gavin Richardson, are delving into the mysteries of ‘Zombie’ cells. Their findings could expand the criteria for heart donor selection, potentially transforming the field of organ transplantation.
The so-called ‘Zombie’ cells, known scientifically as senescent cells, are dysfunctional cells that exist in a state between life and death. The British Heart Foundation explains that these cells contribute to heart diseases by increasing inflammation and promoting scar tissue formation in heart muscle.
Heart disease remains a leading global health challenge. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 655,000 Americans die from heart disease each year, which equates to 1 in every 4 deaths. By understanding the ‘signature’ of ‘Zombie’ cells in the blood, the research team aims to gain insight into the biological age of hearts, challenging the current age-based donor selection criteria.
The potential impact of this pioneering research is enormous. By identifying previously overlooked donor hearts as suitable for transplantation based on their biological age, countless lives on the transplant waiting list could be saved.
