Innovation & Research

Advancing Hope Through Pediatric Research

September 9, 2026

The Developmental Genotype-Tissue Expression (dGTEx) Project helps address a critical need in pediatric research by examining how gene expression changes throughout childhood and adolescence. By collecting and studying rare pediatric tissue donations across different stages of development, the project is creating an unprecedented resource that may help researchers better understand childhood diseases and conditions that can affect health well into adulthood. The findings have the potential to advance scientific discovery and contribute to improved treatments and outcomes for children and future generations.

LifeGift has played an important role in this effort as one of five organ procurement organizations selected to participate in this important research. LifeGift’s Tissue Recovery team uses specialized recovery and preservation techniques to help maximize these rare gifts and provide high-quality biospecimens for research. Equally important are the Communication Center for Donation (CCD) and Family Engagement Services (FES) teams, who work closely with medical examiners, approach families, and provide them with the opportunity to consider research donation.

LifeGift’s contribution to the dGTEx Project was highlighted in the published work, which recognizes the critical role organ procurement organizations and their recovery teams play in obtaining suitable pediatric biospecimens. The abstract was co-authored by Michelle Gilbert, Joseph Kreeb, Russell Roberts and Emmitt Savannah of LifeGift, along with collaborators involved in the broader dGTEx effort.

“This accomplishment represents the dedication of the entire LifeGift team,” says Joseph Kreeb, LifeGift Vice President of Tissue Services. “Our recovery professionals bring tremendous expertise and care to the work of preserving these gifts, while our CCD and FES teams work tirelessly to approach and support families with compassion, respect and understanding. None of this would be possible without the courage of donor families who choose to give during an incredibly difficult time. Their generosity, supported by our teams, allows these gifts to extend far beyond transplantation and contribute to research that could benefit pediatric patients for generations to come.”

To view the Sage Journals abstract, click here.

To view the Bio Banking Journal article, click here.