Pioneering the future of organ transplantation through innovative cross-species research
Imagine a world where no one dies waiting for an organ transplant. This vision drives xenotransplantation—the science of transplanting animal organs into humans—a field that lost one of its brightest stars on March 15, 2021, when Dr. Agnès Marie Azimzadeh passed away after a courageous battle with cancer 1 .
Every day, 17 people in the US die waiting for an organ transplant. Dr. Azimzadeh's work aimed to eliminate this tragic statistic.
Over three decades dedicated to unraveling complex immune responses in cross-species transplantation 1 .
Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Biology and Immunology from University Louis Pasteur in Strasbourg 1
22-year scientific partnership begins with Dr. Richard N. Pierson III 1
Young Investigator's Award from The Transplantation Society 1
Elected President of the International Xenotransplantation Association 1
Bridged laboratory discoveries with clinical applications through primate models 1
Developed advanced tools to monitor immunity and inflammation 1
Medical Students Mentored
Post-doctoral Fellows Guided
Years of Collaboration
Years of Research
| Step | Procedure | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cell Preparation | Expand porcine aortic endothelial cells 2 |
| 2 | Serum Preparation | Heat-inactivate at 56°C for 30 min 2 |
| 3 | Primary Staining | Incubate cells with serum dilutions 2 |
| 4 | Wash | Remove unbound antibodies 2 |
| 5 | Secondary Staining | Add fluorescent detection antibodies 2 |
| 6 | Analysis | Process through flow cytometer 2 |
| Reagent | Function |
|---|---|
| Porcine Aortic Endothelial Cells | Target cells expressing pig antigens 2 |
| Test Sera | Source of anti-pig antibodies 2 |
| Fluorochrome-labeled Lectins | Detect carbohydrate antigens 2 |
| Anti-CD31 Antibodies | Verify endothelial cell phenotype 2 |
| Secondary Antibodies | Detect bound human antibodies 2 |
Pigs with specific gene knockouts provide organs less likely to be rejected 2
Laser-based instruments analyze cell surface markers and antibody binding 2
Target cells expressing the same antigens found on transplantable organs 2
Sera from humans and baboons provide antibodies tested for reactivity 2
Detection tools to visualize and quantify antibody binding 2
Specialized media preserving natural antigen presentation 2
Dr. Agnès Azimzadeh's life and work represent the very best of scientific pursuit—curiosity, rigor, collaboration, and a commitment to translating knowledge into real-world impact.
Though her life was cut short by cancer, her legacy continues through multiple channels that ensure her impact endures far beyond her years.
Recognizing significant contributions to xenotransplantation by women 3
Created in her memory to support future breakthroughs 1
Clinical applications of her research continue to save and improve lives
Students and fellows continue her work in their own laboratories 1