The Islet Transplantation Laboratory moves to OR 14 

Islet transplantation is a procedure in which insulin-producing cell clusters (islets) are purified from a deceased organ donor pancreas and transplanted into a type 1 diabetic patient. The transplanted cells produce insulin for the patient, eliminating the need for insulin injections.  

In 2022, the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSSS) designated the MUHC as the only facility performing islet transplantation activities in Quebec. The MSSS granted this designation in recognition of the laboratory’s cutting-edge expertise, led by Dr. Steven Paraskevas. 

The move to OR 14 

The MUHC Islet Transplantation Laboratory recently moved from the McGill University Genome Centre to OR 14 at the Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH). The relocation was the result of close collaboration between the Islet Transplantation Laboratory manager, Marco Gasparrini, and project managers Ellen Leibovich from the MUHC Planning & Project Management Department and Bonnie-Sylvie Rwemalika from AitkinsRéalis. Together, they modified OR 14 to accommodate the needs of the islet transplantation lab while maintaining its use as the operating room for the Research Institute (RI). In addition to the existing surgical equipment, OR 14 is now equipped with biological safety cabinets, centrifuges, microscopes and incubators for islet cell processing and culture. Housekeeping protocols, scheduled cleaning and environmental air monitoring between uses guarantee a seamless transition between the two functions. 

The move to the RVH represents a major accomplishment for both the Islet Transplantation Laboratory and the MUHC. It highlights the exceptional collaboration between the hospital and the RI, demonstrating that even in the face of challenges, teams can work together to integrate advanced clinical care technologies with patient care.