Thirty years ago, Dr. Alter spearheaded a project at the NIH Clinical Center that created a storehouse of blood samples used to uncover the causes and reduce the risk of transfusion-associated hepatitis. Before this, about a third of transfused people received tainted blood, which later inflamed their livers, producing a condition known as hepatitis. Because of Dr. Alter's work, the U.S. instituted blood and donor screening programs that have served to increase the safety of the nations blood supply. The Lasker Awards, first presented in 1946 and often called Americas Nobels, annually honor the countrys most outstanding contributions in basic and clinical medical research. |
Research Spotlight |