Keshavjee Lab - Latner Labs

Our research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of lung preservation, injury and repair. We incorporate state-of-the-art molecular techniques and advanced organ assessment methods for the immunomodulation of donor lungs. The Keshavjee lab leads the development and translation of critical care innovations into the patient clinic.

Interested in joining the Keshavjee Lab? Explore our research projects and discover how you can be a part of leading-edge research in lung transplantation.

RESEARCH

Lung transplantation is the only life-saving treatment for individuals with end-stage lung disease. Annually, more than 4,600 lung transplants are performed worldwide; however, clinically acceptable donor organs continue to be in short supply, with only 21% of available donor lungs being used for transplant. This leaves thousands of patients on global wait lists, where mortality rates are high.

For recipients who do receive a lung transplant, median survival time after the procedure is 6.7 years, with acute organ rejection affecting approximately one-third of patients within the first year of transplant.

Dr. Keshavjee’s research focuses on improving these conditions for all patients in need. His lab is currently investigating the advanced molecular mechanisms of lung preservation, injury and repair. He has led the development and translation of a number of critical care innovations into the patient clinic, including a successful extended lung preservation technique that has become the clinical standard worldwide (LPD, Perfadex®) and the Toronto Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion (EVLP) platform.

Select a title to learn more about the different research projects

EX VIVO LUNG PERFUSION (EVLP)

During EVLP, donor lungs are placed in a sterile and protective dome outside of the body (“ex vivo”) and supplied oxygen, nutrients and other critical components that enable the lung to breathe on its own.

The Toronto EVLP system is a landmark achievement that has dramatically increased donor lung utilization rates and significantly improved recipient outcomes.

We can leverage EVLP system to enable the application of isolated innovative gene and stem cell therapies, leading to a true paradigm shift in lung transplantation: optimized donor organs for every patient in need of a life-saving transplant.

EXTENDED LUNG PRESERVATION

Extending the length of time that lungs remain viable on EVLP—from the current maximum of 12 hours to three days—will significantly broaden the platform’s assessment and therapeutic potential. To this end, we are researching improved perfusate solutions to sustain metabolism during extended EVLP. Further, we aim to integrate dialysis during EVLP to remove electrolytes, metabolites and other waste products that accumulate in the perfusate and negatively impact homeostasis.

PRECISION DIAGNOSTICS

Our research team has developed several groundbreaking diagnostic platforms to measure lung injury and predict future patient trajectory. We are currently leveraging new tools in Artificial Intelligence to develop InsighTx: a predictive algorithm that can help surgeons anticipate clinical acceptability of donor lungs for transplant, and expected post-transplant recipient outcomes.

NOVEL REPAIR THERAPIES

We are researching novel repair therapies that have the potential to prevent organ rejection and dramatically reduce post-transplant morbidity and mortality. These therapies include alpha-1 antitrypsin (A1AT) therapy, regulatory T cell therapy, B cell application and mesenchymal stromal cell treatments to prevent donor lung rejection and improve recipient health.

CRISPR/Cas9 GENE EDITING

Using revolutionary CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology, we can achieve our therapeutic vision of achieving long-term immunotolerance in donor lungs, which will significantly expand the donor organ pool and improve recipient outcomes. Most importantly, however, this approach will take significant steps towards eliminating the need for life-long and systemic immunosuppression after transplantation. We are researching CRISPR/Cas9-mediated endogenous gene expression of IL-10, a critical anti-inflammatory cytokine, and have made significant progress in our proof-of-concept pre-clinical models.

OPEN POSITIONS

If you are interested in joining our lab, please contact us via the lab contact form. We continually recruit a wide range of positions, including postdoctoral fellows, scientific and research associates, graduate and undergraduate students, and volunteers.

DR. SHAF KESHAVJEE

Dr. Shaf Keshavjee is a Senior Scientist and Director of the Latner Thoracic Research Laboratories. He is also the Chief of Innovation at UHN. He holds appointments as Professor of Thoracic Surgery and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Toronto.

Dr. Keshavjee developed the Toronto Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion (EVLP) system, which has transformed how thoracic surgeons performs lung transplantation. During EVLP, a lung can remain physiologically active, enabling surgeons with the ability to objectively assess organ quality and make a more informed decision on whether to use the lung for transplant.

Importantly, the extended time that lungs can be held on EVLP has also enabled a critical time window for the application of novel, isolated therapies to repair injured donor lungs prior to transplant. To this extent, Dr. Keshavjee’s team has developed a number of precision diagnostics and novel repair therapies that maximize the potential of EVLP in the transplant clinic. Explore Dr. Keshavjee’s current research to discover more about his latest projects.

Keyword: Ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP), lung transplantation, lung injury, lung regeneration, gene therapy, organ preservation precision, diagnostics and repair therapies for lungs, CRISPR-Cas9 Lung transplantation, translational research

Designations

Chief of Innovation, UHN
Co-Director, AI Hub@UHN
Donald K Jackson Chair in Lung Transplant Research
Director and Senior Scientist, Latner Thoracic Research Laboratories
Professor, Division of Thoracic Surgery & Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto
Vice Chair for Innovation, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto

Awards and Recognition (selected)

Companion of the Order of Canada (2025)
Fellow, Royal Society of Canada (2025)
Medawar Prize, The Transplantation Society (2024)
Elected to the College of Fellows, American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineers (AIMBE) (2023)
Honorary Fellowship, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (2022)
Lifetime Achievement Award, Canadian Blood Services (2022)
President, American Association for Thoracic Surgery (2021)
Flance-Karl Award, American Surgical Association (2021)
Recipient, Governor General of Canada’s Innovation Award (2020)
Inventor of the Year Award, University Health Network (2019)
Innovation Award, American Society of Transplantation (2018)
Member, Officer of the Order of Canada (2014)
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal x2 (2012)