Bradley Olson, Author at UNC Blood Research Center

My group collaborates with other BRC faculty on several disease-oriented projects. Although my expertise is primarily in the development and implementation of coagulation assays in human blood, many of our projects include both human and mouse components. These include studies on the vascular biology of sickle cell disease (with Rafal Pawlinski), cancer-associated thrombosis (with Nigel Mackman) and acute liver failure (with Rafal Pawlinski and Jian Liu). We also collaborate with several extramural research teams in studies of coagulopathy of trauma, and thrombosis associated with cancer and other disorders.

Dr. Abajas’ primary clinical and research interests are in hemostasis and thrombosis.

As a member of the UNC Blood Research Center, we are able to interact and collaborate with experts in blood coagulation and platelet biology. My lab is especially interested in investigating the contribution of the coagulation and platelets to anti-viral immune responses. Furthermore, in a collaborative effort with clinical experts of the UNC Blood Research Center, we are investigating potential pathways to improve cancer patients’ quality of life by reducing cardiotoxic side effects of highly efficient anti-cancer therapies.

My current research focuses on interventions to improve the transition process for patients with rare blood disorders, such as sickle cell disease, as they move from a pediatric centered care environment to adult health care facilities.

Being part of the BRC at UNC provides us with a unique opportunity to interact on a daily basis with world leaders in related areas of blood research. We are particularly excited about the fact that centers like the BRC bring together basic science with clinical expertise, thus providing a platform to identify and tackle clinical challenges and to translate basic research findings to the clinical setting.

Dr. Marcus Carden is a Med/Peds hematologist who is part of the hematology faculty in the Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine at the UNC School of Medicine as an Assistant Professor and as the Director of the Pediatric Sickle Cell program. As a clinician for both pediatric and adult patients with sickle cell at UNC, he is actively engaged in clinical and translational research projects aiming to improve the lives of patients across the lifespan.

Our role in the Blood Research Center (BRC) is to provide a unique perspective on the contribution of coagulation and fibrinolytic factors to a wide spectrum of disease pathologies, independent of the traditional roles of these factors in bleeding and thrombosis. We utilize mouse models to analyze specific mechanisms by which proteins such as prothrombin, fibrinogen, and plasminogen contribute to the progression of inflammatory, infectious, and malignant disease. Working with our collaborative basic science and clinical partners in the BRC provides an unparalleled opportunity for rapidly advancing our understanding of the multifaceted role of the hemostatic system in hemostasis, thrombosis, and beyond.

Bleeding and clotting disorders, and Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia Dr. Raj Kasthuri is a clinician, researcher and clinical educator. Dr. Kasthuri’s clinical and research interests are in disorders of thrombosis and hemostasis, and Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia. (HHT). Dr. Kasthuri is Associate Director for Clinical Research for the BRC. He is also Director of the UNC HHT Center of Excellence. He participates in and/or leads a number of clinical research studies evaluating the natural history of HHT and the evaluation of efficacy of novel therapies for the treatment of HHT. His laboratory interests include the mechanism(s) of coagulation activation in HHT, gene therapy for HHT, and he collaborates with other BRC investigators on research on mechanisms of thrombosis in cancer.

My research interests are centered around platelet signaling and function. More specifically, I am focused on two main areas of platelet research: 1) the utility of platelet transfusion in various bleeding disorders, and 2) mechanisms regulating platelet lifespan in blood and platelet clearance in organs such as spleen and liver. We utilize mouse models of platelet dysfunction.

Dr. Little's clinical and research interests are in Sickle Cell Disease and erythropoiesis. We are interested in the physical properties of red cells, especially from people with sickle cell disease, under ambient and hypoxic conditions. We are using microfluidic devices in collaboration with colleagues at UNC and at CWRU to study red cells and to associate these findings with clinical phenotypes, before and after treatment. We are also part of a sickle cell disease registry, in order to capture data prospectively and pool resources with over 8 other institutions nationally.

Dr. Ma’s research interests center around detection of undiagnosed bleeding disorders, treatment of congenital and acquired bleeding disorders, as well as in treatment of immuno-hematologic disorders such as immune thrombocytopenic purpura and autoimmune hemolytic anemia. She is the director of the UNC adult hematology/oncology fellowship program and is focused on hematology education.

Author Archives: Bradley Olson

Key

Abajas

Antoniak

Video banner test

Baskin

Bergmeier

Carden

Flick

Kasthuri

Lee

Little

Ma