Red Cell Integrity and Genetics
Our Research
Blood transfusion is one of the most frequently performed procedures in the United States. Blood donations come from a heterogenous population with variability in race, gender, behaviors, health status, and genetics that all interact, impacting red blood cell characteristics. Understanding factors that influence the quality of blood from donors is necessary to improve transfusion outcomes. We have found that the variability in donor red blood cell stability and function during refrigerated storage is more dependent on donor genetics than on the actual time the blood is in storage. Our research focuses on identifying genes that specifically influence blood storage and transfusion outcomes, with the goal of optimizing red cell storage and broadening our understanding of the basic biology of red cell integrity.
Team Members
Elizabeth (Liz) Rochon, PhD
Assistant Professor
Mouna Ouchari, PhD
Post Doctoral Fellow
Temiloluwa Okusolubo
MD, PhD candidate
Akueba Bruce
Research Technician Assistant
John (Hyon) Hwang, MS
Laboratory Manager
Publications:
Wang L, Rochon ER, Gingras S, Zuchelkowski BE, Sinchar DJ, Alipour E, Reisz JA, Yang M, Page GP, Kanias T, Triulzi DJ, Lee JS, Kim-Shapiro DB, D'Alessandro A, Gladwin MT. Functional effects of an African glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) polymorphism (Val68Met) on red blood cell hemolytic propensity and post-transfusion recovery. Transfusion. 2024 Apr;64(4):615-626. PMID: 38400625
Zuchelkowski BE, Peñaloza HF, Xiong Z, Wang L, Cifuentes-Pagano E, Rochon E, Yang M, Gingras S, Gladwin MT, Lee JS. Increased Neutrophil H2O2 Production and Enhanced Pulmonary Clearance of Klebsiella pneumoniae in G6PD A- Mice. Res Sq [Preprint]. 2024 Mar 11:rs.3.rs-3931558. PMID: 38559268