Laboratory for Organ Recovery and Bioengineering
Brandon A. Guenthart Lab
The Laboratory for Organ Recovery and Bioengineering is a collaborative research group working on expanding the pool of donor organs and developing novel therapeutics to alleviate end-stage heart and lung disease. Working to advance the field of ex vivo heart and lung perfusion and advanced mechanical support, Dr. Guenthart and his colleagues have developed systems capable of prolonged normothermic organ support by harnessing the systemic regulation of the body. This radical advance allows for interventional therapies, functional recovery, cellular regeneration, and whole organ bioengineering.
With the bold vision to address the challenges and limitations in organ transplantation and regenerative medicine, the lab explores bioengineered solutions inspired by nature. Current work is focused on investigating cell-based therapeutics and extracellular matrix biomaterials in human ex vivo platforms and large animal models. Additional studies are investigating novel support devices and surgical techniques to prolong storage and mitigate ischemia in heart and lung transplantation. Through this work, additional enabling technologies have been developed, including techniques for total beating heart transplantation, an airway cell replacement device, biomimetic lung sealant, and non-invasive imaging diagnostics.
Brandon A. Guenthart, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery