An organ transplant team from Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University was awarded the Leslie B. Brent Award at the 31st International Congress of the Transplantation Society (TTS 2026) held from Sept 20 to 23 in Sydney, Australia, marking the first time since the award's inception in 2014 that it has been bestowed upon a Chinese team.

The award is for the annual most outstanding basic science paper given by TTS, recognizing outstanding research published in the journal Transplantation. Named after the renowned British transplant immunologist Leslie Baruch Brent, this award is a significant accolade in the field of international transplantation.

The congress brought together experts and scholars worldwide to focus on cutting-edge advancements, share the latest research findings, and explore the future direction of the industry.

Hu Qianchao, a postdoctoral researcher at the Liver and Gallbladder Disease Research Institute of Zhongnan Hospital, said that the paper, KLF10 Induced by Hypothermic Machine Perfusion Alleviates Renal Inflammation through BIRC2/Noncanonical NF-kB Pathway, investigates the molecular mechanisms of perfusion protection for donor kidneys and the reduction of inflammatory damage in transplanted kidneys.

Since its publication in 2025, the paper has been cited and widely read, leading the independent review committee to recognize its significant academic impact in the field.

The team expressed that they plan to continue strengthening international academic exchanges and collaborations, addressing any gaps in their disciplines, and solidifying the foundation for development.