DONO aims to develop the optimal engineering of pigs for organ xenotransplantation (especially kidney) that ensures the best performance in terms of overcoming immunological barriers and metabolic and functional compatibility, as well as reducing the risk of transmission of endogenous retroviruses and cytomegaloviruses.

Through industrial research activities (pig engineering, construction of innovative pig pathogen detection platforms, and engineering design) supported by in-vitro and ex-vivo perfusion studies of pig kidneys engineered with the latest technologies, the following three main objectives are expected to be achieved:

i) Creation of pig organs (kidneys) optimized for xenotransplantation;

ii) Construction of an innovative multiplex sensor platform based on microarray technology for the detection of pig pathogens;

iii) Design of a barrier housing for large animals for future authorization requests for xenotransplantation in humans.

Project funded under the Regional Programme of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) PR FESR Lombardy 2021–2027 – “Collaborate & Innovate” Call