Division of Blood Diseases and Resources

The Division has a major responsibility for research to assure the adequacy and safety of the Nation's blood supply. The Division also has a leading role in applying scientific advances in transfusion medicine and stem cell biology to the development of new cell-based therapies to repair and regenerate human tissues and organs. DBDR has three branches: the Blood Diseases Branch, the Thrombosis and Hemostasis Branch, and the Transfusion Medicine and Cellular Therapeutics Branch.

BLOOD DISEASES BRANCH

The Blood Diseases Branch supports research and training programs focusing on a wide variety of blood diseases that include sickle cell disease (SCD), thalassemia, Fanconi anemia, Diamond-Blackfan anemia and other aplastic anemias as well as outcomes-related research.

Research in sickle cell disease and thalassemia ranges from elucidating their etiology and pathophysiology to improving disease treatment and management. Areas of emphasis include genetics, regulation of hemoglobin synthesis, iron chelation, development of drugs to increase fetal hemoglobin production, hematopoietic transplantation, and gene therapy. Developing animal models for preclinical studies is another area of interest. Clinical studies in sickle cell disease include stroke prevention and pulmonary complications. A phase II clinical trial is determining whether hydroxyurea is effective in preventing chronic end organ damage in children with sickle cell disease.

This Branch oversees the Comprehensive Sickle Cell Centers. Individually, each Center conducts basic and clinical research, delivers state-of-the-art patient care, offers educational activities for patients and health professionals, performs community outreach, and provides genetic counseling services. The Centers also collaborate on clinical trials and facilitate collaboration with the SCD Clinical Research Network along with other networks including the Bone Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network (BMTCTN) and the Thalassemia Clinical Research Network (TCRN).

Blaine Moore, Ph.D., Branch Chief
E-mail: mooreb@nhlbi.nih.gov
301-435-0050

THROMBOSIS AND HEMOSTASIS BRANCH

This Branch supports research and training programs on basic research, clinical studies, and technology development in hemostasis, thrombosis, and endothelial cell biology. The main focus is on understanding the pathogenesis of both arterial and venous thrombosis in order to improve diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of thrombosis in heart attack, stroke, and peripheral vascular diseases. A major goal is to find additional platelet inhibitors, anticoagulants, and fibrinolytic agents that will improve specificity and reduce side effects when used in treating thrombotic and thromboembolic disorders. Specialized Centers of Clinically Oriented Research (SCCORS) support collaborative studies on hemostatic and thrombotic disorders.

Finding effective treatments for bleeding disorders is another priority. The Branch supports research on hemophilia and von Willebrand Disease as well as immune disorders such as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Emerging areas of interest are gene transfer, clinical proteomics, inflammation and thrombosis, stroke, coagulation activation, autoimmune disease, and thrombotic complications of obesity, diabetes, and cancer.

Traci Mondoro, Ph.D., Acting Branch Chief
E-mail: mondorot@nhlbi.nih.gov
301-435-0070

TRANSFUSION MEDICINE AND CELLULAR THERAPEUTICS BRANCH

This Branch supports research and research training in transfusion medicine, stem cell biology and disease, clinical cellular medicine, and blood supply adequacy and safety. Research focus is on the use, safety, and availability of blood and blood components for transfusion and cellular therapies. Research areas include transmission of disease, non-infectious complications of transfusions, immunobiology, cell biology and disease, novel cell-based therapies, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and overall product availability. The Branch develops programs for basic and clinical research related to normal and abnormal cellular biology and pathology. It also collaborates with governmental, private sector, and international organizations to improve the safety and availability of the global supply of blood and blood components.

The Branch also supports two clinical research networks to promote efficient comparison of innovative treatment strategies. The Bone Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network (BMTCTN) supports trials for patients undergoing blood or marrow transplantation. The Transfusion Medicine/Hemostasis Clinical Trials Network (TMHCTN) supports trials for patients with hemostatic disorders, such as idiopathic thrombocytopenia and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Specialized Centers of Clinically Oriented Research support collaborative studies on transfusion biology and medicine.

Simone Glynn, M.D., Branch Chief
E-mail: glynnsa@nhlbi.nih.gov
301-435-0075

RESEARCH TRAINING AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Designated DBDR scientists are responsible for planning and directing training and career development programs for research in blood diseases and resources. These programs are available for all stages in the professional development of the investigator and include: pre-and post-doctoral training; career development for junior and mid-career faculty, and special training opportunities targeted to special populations.

Ellen Werner, Ph.D., wernere@nhlbi.nih.gov, 301-435-0050
Traci Mondoro, Ph.D., mondorot@nhlbi.nih.gov, 301-435-0052
Rita Sarkar, Ph.D., sarkarr@nhlbi.nih.gov, 301-435-1324

For further information contact:

Division of Blood Diseases and Resources
The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
ATTN: Web Site Inquiries
Two Rockledge Center, Suite 10138
6701 Rockledge Dr. MSC 7950
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7950

Additional phone numbers are available in the Abbreviated Staff Directory

April 2008