Blood and Transplant Research Units

World leading research in partnership with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

NIHR Blood and Transplant Research Units (BTRUs) are partnerships between universities and NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT).

There are five BTRUs in the latest round of funding, co-funded by the NIHR and NHSBT. These are aimed at providing new technologies, techniques or insights that will benefit donation, transfusion, and transplantation. Their work will run from 2022 to 2027.

Many of the work strands involved could result in new technologies and practices that can then be delivered at scale by NHSBT, helping to save and improve even more lives. Much of the work will also be aimed at reducing health disparities and improving access to new treatments.

The BTRUs are funded by £16m from the NIHR and £4m from NHSBT, with research goals set to meet NHSBT’s requirements, to be delivered between 2022 and 2027.

Precision Cellular Therapeutics

Developing new cell therapies for blood disorders and blood cancer, and improving follow up systems.

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Data Driven Transfusion Practice

Using data from every step in the transfusion chain to improve transfusion practice and reduce risk.

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Organ Donation and Transplantation

Increasing the number of organs available, improving long-term outcomes, and improving quality of life after transplant.

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Blood Donor Health and Behaviour

Improving the donation evidence base to build a more diverse donor base and safer, more effective donation practice.

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Genomics to Enhance Microbiology Screening

Using large scale genetic testing methods to detect and often fully genetically characterise infectious agents.

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First round of BTRUs 2015 - 2022

About the research carried out during the first round of BTRU funding.

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