Dr Akalin’s main research interest is investigating mechanisms of acute and chronic rejection using microarray technology and immune monitoring of kidney transplant recipients. Dr. Akalin is one of the first investigators that applied GeneChip (microarray) technology in human kidney transplantation. GeneChip is a powerful technology that detects thousands of genes simultaneously and might help to understand the mechanisms, diagnosis, and the treatment of complex disease, such as rejection of the kidney transplant. His other main research interest is kidney transplantation in highly sensitized cross-match positive or blood group incompatible kidney transplant recipients by using desensitization protocols with Intravenous Immunoglobulin, Rituximab, and Plasmapheresis. He investigates the mechanisms of desensitization treatment and its effect on donor-specific antibodies.
