Translational research and innovation in modern transplant practice: Paradigms from Greece and around the world

Abstract

The continuous clinical and technological advances, together with the social, health and economic challenges that the global population faces, have created an environment where the evolution of the field of transplantation is essentially necessary. The goal of this special issue is to provide a picture of the current status of transplantation in Greece as well as in many other countries in Europe and around the world. Authors from Greece and several other countries provide us with valuable insight into their respective areas of transplant expertise, with a main focus on the field of translational research and innovation. The papers that are part of this Special Issue “Translational Research and Innovation and the current status of Transplantation in Greece” have presented innovative and meaningful approaches in modern transplant research and practice. They provide us with a clear overview of the current landscape in transplantation, including liver transplantation in the context of a major pandemic, the evolution of living donor kidney transplantation or the evolution of the effect of hepatitis C virus infection in transplantation, while at the same time explore more recent challenges, such as the issue of frailty in the transplant candidate and the changes brought by newer treatments, such as immunotherapy, in transplant oncology. Additionally, they offer us a glimpse of the effect that technological innovations, such as virtual reality, can have on transplantation, both in terms of clinical and educational aspects. Just as critical is the fact that this Special Issue emphasizes the multidisciplinary, collaborative efforts currently taking place that link transplant research and innovation with other cutting-edge disciplines such as bioengineering, advanced information technology and artificial intelligence. In this Special Issue, in addition to the clinical and research evolution of the field of transplantation, we are witnessing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in medicine.

Keywords: Translational research; Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; Immunotherapy; Pandemic; Liver transplantation; Bioengineering; Artificial intelligence; Immunosuppression; Transplant oncology; Living donor kidney transplantation

Core Tip: The goal of this special issue is to provide a picture of the current status of transplantation in Greece as well as in many other countries in Europe and around the world. The issue will focus on presenting innovative and meaningful approaches in modern transplant research and practice as well as to emphasize the multidisciplinary, collaborative efforts currently taking place that link transplant research and innovation with other cutting-edge disciplines such as bioengineering, advanced information technology and artificial intelligence.