Scientists Develop 'Universal Kidney' That Can Be Transplanted Into Any Blood Group

Last Updated:October 17, 2025, 09:27 IST

Researchers have developed a universal kidney transplantable to any blood group, marking a major breakthrough that could revolutionise organ donation and save millions of lives

The modified kidney functioned normally for several days in a human model. (Representational Image)

In what could mark a historic leap in medical science, researchers from Canada and China have reportedly developed a universal kidney that can be transplanted into patients of any blood group. The breakthrough, achieved after a decade of persistent research, could revolutionise kidney transplantation and potentially end the long, agonising wait that patients face while searching for compatible donors.

According to a report by Science Alert, the team of scientists has successfully tested a modified kidney that remained viable inside a human body for several days, a significant milestone towards developing an organ that can bypass the traditional blood group barrier.

Major Step Towards Ending Waiting List Crisis

For decades, kidney failure patients have faced one of the most daunting challenges in organ transplantation, which is blood group compatibility. Finding a matching donor often takes years, and for some, it never happens. This universal kidney innovation promises to change that narrative.

Researchers from leading institutions in Canada and China collaborated to test a kidney capable of functioning in any recipient, irrespective of their blood type. The organ was transplanted into the body of a brain-dead individual and was observed to function normally for the first few days.

“This is the first time we have seen such success in a human model," said Stephen Withers, a biochemist at the University of British Columbia, who is part of the project. “It gives us invaluable insights into improving long-term transplant outcomes," he added.

Breaking The Blood Group Barrier

Ordinarily, patients with blood type O face the longest wait times, as they can only receive kidneys from O donors. In the United States alone, an estimated 11 people die each day due to the lack of a compatible kidney. Type O kidneys, though compatible with other blood types, remain in critically short supply.

Previous attempts to cross blood-type barriers have been complex, risky, and prohibitively expensive. The new research offers a simpler and more efficient solution. Scientists used special enzymes to strip type A kidneys of sugar molecules, known as antigens, that typically trigger immune rejection.

“With this enzyme treatment, it’s like removing the red paint from a car," explained Withers, adding that once the outer layer is removed, the immune system no longer recognises it as foreign.

Conditional But Promising Results

During the trial, the kidney continued to function for several days before mild immune responses reappeared on the third day, suggesting that traces of the original blood type had begun to return. However, experts noted that the reaction was comparatively mild, and more importantly, the body appeared to be developing tolerance toward the organ.

Although the study remains in its early stages and will require multiple preclinical trials before being used on living patients, scientists believe it marks the beginning of a new era in transplantation medicine.

The implications of a successful universal kidney are profound. Thousands of patients die each year while waiting for a compatible organ. A universal kidney would not only shorten waiting lists dramatically but could also save millions of lives worldwide. Researchers are now focused on understanding why the antigens removed through enzymes tend to reappear after some time, and how to prevent this recurrence for longer durations.

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