My research is focused on the biology and pathobiology of transfusion. Humans are transfused with red blood cells, platelets, and plasma. In the USA alone, 20-30 million such blood products are transfused each year. Besides the therapeutic benefit, relatively little is known about the mechanisms of…
more the biological and immunological sequelae of transfusion. This lack of knowledge is due, in large part, to the absence of adequate animal models to study these processes. My primary focus has been the development of novel and tractable murine models of transfusion biology, to allow detailed reductionist analysis in a whole animal system. By using existing mouse strains, and by creating novel transgenic mice that express well-defined antigens on red blood cells, my lab has generated powerful model transfusion systems allowing us to study humoral and cellular immunization to transfused red blood cells, platelets and plasma. We are also investigating the molecular biology by which transfused red blood cells are destroyed by preexisting antibodies that recognize the transfused cells. In addition, we are utilizing these platforms to test and develop novel therapeutic interventions. Finally, we have applied our systems to the study of human hematological diseases that involve blood, in particular, sickle cell anemia and autoimmune hemolytic anemia.
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