Central project B: Service Unit for lung specimen (clinical and experimental, former part of project 3)

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The extent of the lung transplantation (LTx) program at Hannover Medical School allows the development of a worldwide unique data and material base of human and animal tissues that can be extremely useful for a multitude of scientific and clinical questions. During the first funding period, BAL, pulmonary brush aspirates and blood samples were already collected from LTx patients for use in project 3. With regard to the growing demand for collection of such materials including lung biopsies from lung transplanted patients and large animal recipients, a Central Service Unit for obtaining, processing, storage, and documentation of such materials will be established. The resulting data base of the Central Service Unit will be integrated into the already existing clinical data base. In general, all procedures, which have been previously applied in project 3, like bronchial-alveolar lavage, bronchial brushing, as well as collection of lung tissue samples will be accessible for the clinical, as well as for the experimental projects. In addition, a surveillance biopsy program will be established in all patients in the first 12 months after lung transplantation. In preliminary studies with indication bronchoscopies, we could demonstrate that a biopsy program is feasible, safe, and important for clinical decisions. The specimen obtained in the surveillance biopsy program are essential for the projects no. 3 and 9, but will be available for all other projects with requirement of human biopsy material. The establishment of this Central Service Unit will be of major importance for sustainability for the clinical research group during and beyond the granted period.