  |
   |
  |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Programs and Education Graduate Programs | Fellowship | Research Department Research Department The Research Laboratory of the Hoxworth Blood Center is one of the leaders in the coordination of research projects developed for the advancement of transfusion medicine, including clinical trials for transfusion medicine-related products. These projects encompass a broad range of studies, including analysis of red blood cells, platelets, and plasma, and evaluation of techniques that improve the quality of blood components during storage. The research program has multiple components, including basic biological research, clinical research, and applied research. Currently, we are developing new methods to study the basic biology and regulation of adult stem cell proliferation and differentiation. Our aim is to link these studies with bioengineering processes that might allow us to develop blood products ex vivo from adult stem cells. Our goal is to link basic research with clinical care, leading to improved methods that ensure the quality, safety and efficacy of the blood and hematopoietic supply. Two major areas focus our laboratories: 1. Clinical Research in Transfusion Medicine 2. Stem cell biology (hematopoietic and mesenchymal/stromal). Clinical Research in Transfusion Medicine: The Research department assists companies with licensing studies for new products. Some of the biomedical companies we collaborate with include; Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Cerus Corporation, Gambro BCT, Maco Pharma/ United Pharma, Hemerus Medical, Greiner Corporation, Pall Medical, and Haemonetics Corp. Current technologies: 1. Radioisotope labeling methods for measurement of red cell recovery and survival using chromium-51 and technetium-99m. 2. Radioisotope labeling methods for measurement of platelet recovery and survival using chromium-51 and indium-111. 3. Morphologic and functional tests of red cells (ATP, 2,3 DPG, supernatant hemoglobin, osmotic fragility, blood gases, glucose, sodium, potassium, lactate, morphology). 4. Evaluation of leukoreduced products (Nageotte counting, percent cell loss). 5. Morphologic and functional platelet test including: hypotonic shock response, extent of shape change, morphology, CD62-P (P-selectin). 6. Plasma analysis-protein assays, coagulation assays. 7. Western blot studies of RBC and microvesicle membranes. 8. Evaluation of different automated blood collection systems/technologies. 9. Pathogen reduction studies in blood components. Compliance: All studies are reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board of University of Cincinnati Medical Center and the Radiation Safety where applicable. Current Good Manufacturing Practices are followed in performance of all procedures, and the laboratory meets the standards of all sponsors as determined by on-site inspections. Staff: The staff has over 60 years of cumulative research experience and they are well trained in the use of in vitro and in vivo techniques, and radioisotope labeling procedures. They perform the evaluation of procedures and products concerning collection, processing, and storage of red blood cells and platelets as required by the FDA for licensing new products. Related Readings: Hess JR, Hill HR, Oliver CK, Lippert LE, Rugg N, Joines AD, Gormas JF, Pratt PG, Silverstein EB, Greenwalt TJ.: Twelve-week storage solution. Transfusion 43: 867-72, 2003. Snyder EL, Elfath MD, Taylor H, Rugg N, Greenwalt TJ, Baril L, Whitley P, Brantigan B, Story K. Collection of two units of leukoreduced RBCs from a single donation with a portable multiple-component collection system. Transfusion 43(12): 1695-705, 2003. For further information regarding Clinical Research, please contact Neeta Rugg (clinical coordinator) at 513-558-1525 or Dr. Jose A. Cancelas (513-558-1324 or 513-636-5879 at Children's Hospital Medical Center). Stem cell biology (hematopoietic and mesenchymal/stromal) Our laboratory focuses on the study of blood-forming cells during the process of adult hematopoiesis. Billions of cells are produced daily in a crucially regulated fashion to maintain homeostatic cell counts in circulation and provide all functional blood cell types (neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, monocytes/macrophages, platelets, and erythrocytes) and other tissue cells (mast cells and osteoclasts). Adult hematopoiesis is located in the bone marrow and is initiated by hematopoietic stem cells (HSC), which are able to self-renew and differentiate into all functional types of blood cells. HSC attract clinical interest because of their potential use in stem cell and gene Despite the advance in the understanding of how stem cells proliferate and differentiate, we do not fully understand the mechanisms that control the bone marrow stem cell compartment. One of the major challenges has been to understand the role of the "bone marrow microenvironment" in the regulation of the proliferation and differentiation of HSC. Although poorly characterized, this microenvironment is composed of stromal cells, including myofibroblasts, adipocytes and osteoblasts, that originate from mesenchymal progenitors –MSCs-, hematopoietic-derived cells such as lymphocytes and macrophages, and of extracellular matrix proteins (collagen, fibronectin, vitronectin, laminin, hemonectin, among others). The stroma provides growth factors, chemoattractants, anchorage, and scaffolding for the correct development of hematopoiesis. Research in the Cancelas Laboratory at Hoxworth Blood Center and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center focuses on:
Related Readings:
Related Readings:Mailing Address: Hoxworth Blood Center Research Division 3130 Highland Ave Cincinnati OH 45267-0055 Phone: (513) 558-1520 Fax: (513) 558-1522 Copyright © 2004 Hoxworth Blood Center | Member: America's Blood Centers |
||||
