Sandra Tafulo

PhD

Instituto Português de Sangue e da Transplantação

Research group
Nephrology Dialysis & Transplantation

The research activity centers on transplant immunology and immunogenetics, with a strong focus on HLA histocompatibility, allosensitization, and immune risk assessment in solid organ transplantation. The group works at the interface of laboratory diagnostics and clinical application, aiming to improve donor–recipient matching, optimize graft allocation strategies, and reduce antibody-mediated rejection.

Key areas of investigation include:

Characterization of anti-HLA antibodies and their clinical relevance
Mechanisms and monitoring of allosensitization in transplant candidates
Implementation of advanced immunogenetic testing methodologies
Risk stratification and personalized approaches in transplantation
Contribution to national and international transplant allocation programs

The overall goal is to enhance long-term graft survival and patient outcomes through precision immunogenetics and translational laboratory research.

Biosketch

Sandra Tafulo is a biomedical scientist specializing in histocompatibility and immunogenetics (H&I), with extensive experience in transplant diagnostics and research. She completed her PhD in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Porto, developing expertise in immune mechanisms relevant to transplantation.

She currently works at the Portuguese Institute of Blood and Transplantation (Porto), as EFI Laboratory Director and contributes to national transplant programs. Her work integrates clinical service, quality assurance, and research innovation in immunogenetics.

Sandra is actively involved in international professional societies, including the European Federation for Immunogenetics (EFI) and the American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ASHI), contributing to scientific collaboration, education, and H&I laboratories accreditation.

Her research output includes peer-reviewed publications in transplant immunology, and she is committed to advancing evidence-based practices that improve equity and outcomes in organ transplantation.

Top 5 publications

Complement-dependent cytotoxicity crossmatch in solid organ transplantation: The gold standard or golden history?

Tafulo S, Osório E, Mendes C, Liwski R.Hum Immunol. 2024 Jan;85(1):110734. doi: 10.1016/j.humimm.2023.110734. Epub 2023 Nov 29.PMID: 38030522

Cutting through the weeds: Evaluation of a novel adsorption with crossmatch cells and elution protocol to sharpen HLA antibody identification by the single antigen bead assay.

Liwski RS, Tafulo S, Carroll R, Lan JH, Greenshields AL.Front Genet. 2022 Nov 30;13:1059650. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1059650. eCollection 2022.PMID: 36531234

HLA class II eplet mismatch load improves prediction of dnDSA development after living donor kidney transplantation.

Tafulo S, Malheiro J, Santos S, Dias L, Almeida M, Martins S, Pedroso S, Mendes C, Lobato L, Castro-Henriques A.Int J Immunogenet. 2021 Feb;48(1):1-7. doi: 10.1111/iji.12519. Epub 2020 Nov 3.PMID: 33145950

Improving HLA matching in living donor kidney transplantation using kidney paired exchange program.

Tafulo S, Malheiro J, Dias L, Lobato L, Ramalhete L, Martinho A, Bolotinha C, Costa R, Ivo M.Transpl Immunol. 2020 Oct;62:101317. doi: 10.1016/j.trim.2020.101317. Epub 2020 Jul 4.PMID: 32634478

Degree of HLA class II eplet mismatch load improves prediction of antibody-mediated rejection in living donor kidney transplantation.

Tafulo S, Malheiro J, Santos S, Dias L, Almeida M, Martins S, Pedroso S, Mendes C, Lobato L, Castro-Henriques A.Hum Immunol. 2019 Dec;80(12):966-975. doi: 10.1016/j.humimm.2019.09.010. Epub 2019 Oct 8.PMID: 31604581