Liver Transplant: the Ins and Outs

Learn about the fascinating field of liver transplantation

This course covers the history of liver transplantation, from early experiments in the late 1960s to exciting new technological advances in organ preservation happening today. You will find out why there is such an increasing global need for liver transplants, and look at the science behind the operation and the drugs used to prevent organ rejection. We will look at the unique biology of the liver, explaining how one donor organ can help two patients in need, and how some people can eventually manage without any anti-rejection medication.

The Educators won’t be able to join the discussions or respond to individual comments in this course run, but the course encourages a strong learning community. Discussion is an important part of this course – supporting other learners, sharing your own experience and knowledge, and listening to new perspectives. We hope that you will enjoy interacting with and learning from each other in this way. Don’t forget to comment, reply to other learners and ‘like’ comments.

The course will be of interest to anyone who is captivated by human biology, transplantation, surgery or your immune system.

The course will be of interest to anyone who is captivated by human biology, transplantation, surgery or your immune system.

• Apply new knowledge of the structure and function of the liver to understand the signs of disease.
• Assess the major reasons for liver transplantation.
• Compare the stages of the operation to remove a diseased liver and insert a new one.
• Collect information about the history of liver transplantation and key transplant pioneers.
• Apply knowledge to understand how patients are cared for after the operation.
• Assess future alternatives to transplantation.