Dr. Gauthier was raised in Long Island, NY, and came to Tulane University for medical school. He decided to stay on for his residency in Internal Medicine and was selected to serve as Chief Resident for the year 1997-98. He next received his Nephrology training at Tulane University with additional training in Transplant Nephrology at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. He joined the faculty at Tulane University in July 2000 and served as the director of transplant nephrology for four years. He then served as the Director of Transplant Medicine for the Centura transplant program in Denver Colorado for 12 years and then another 2 years as Center Medical Director. Most recently he joined Natera as Medical Director of Transplant.
Cell-free DNA in Transplant Assessments
Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is the term used to describe the small fragments of DNA that occur naturally and circulate in the blood stream. Advanced technology using cfDNA has improved testing and screening options for transplant recipients. Donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) can assess the amount of cell-free DNA in an organ recipient’s blood that originates from the donor. Elevated levels of cfDNA in the recipient’s blood may signify an increase in cell death from kidney injury and/or rejection. Studies have shown that cfDNA testing is more sensitive and specific than serum creatinine and is able to detect acute rejection at an earlier stage. Join us to hear from genetic testing experts as they discuss cell-free DNA and its potential as a powerful biomarker in transplant assessments.