Researchers at the University of British Columbia have pioneered a first-in-human trial converting blood type A kidneys to universal type O using specialized enzymes. This landmark achievement, documented in Nature Biomedical Engineering, demonstrated that enzyme-treated kidneys functioned without hyperacute rejection for two days post-transplant in a brain-dead recipient. The approach bypasses traditional immune suppression by modifying the organ directly, potentially expanding transplant compatibility and reducing wait times for type O patients, who currently face long delays due to blood type matching. The decade-long enzyme development effort, initiated by UBC professors Stephen Withers and Jayachandran Kizhakkedathu, represents a transformative step toward broader organ donor availability.