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The Altruist's Algorithm: How One Kidney Triggers Thirty

Health & the body

The Altruist's Algorithm: How One Kidney Triggers Thirty

10 min

An exploration of how graph theory and market design transformed kidney transplantation, turning a single altruistic donation into a chain of dozens of life-saving surgeries.

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Show notes

Discussion of Alvin Roth's Nobel-winning work in market design.

Explanation of the difference between simultaneous cycles and non-simultaneous chains.

Details on the record-breaking 'Chain 357' and 'Chain 124'.

How graph theory and integer programming are applied to medical logistics.

The role of the National Kidney Registry in coordinating multi-center transplants.

In this episode

  1. 1Intro1 min
  2. 2The Double Coincidence of Want2 min
  3. 3The Power of the Altruist2 min
  4. 4Mapping the Compatibility Graph3 min
  5. 5Logistics of a Continental Chain2 min
  6. 6Outro1 min

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The Altruist's Algorithm: How One Kidney Triggers Thirty — Fylom