Aim
The Basic Transfusion Biology Working Party is focused on promoting experimental design approaches that investigate the molecular and cellular basis of how blood transfusions and related pathologies, and biotherapies, work. This includes mechanistic studies to increase our basic understanding of transfusion biology and to advance the development of novel blood and cell therapy products. Applicants for membership must have a documented interest, through publications in peer-reviewed journals, in mechanistic studies in transfusion biology and be actively involved (or recently retired) in fundamental basic transfusion medicine research.
Potential initial project plan options for members of the BTB WP
- Mechanisms of Immune Responses to RBCs and platelets, including cellular and molecular pathways that lead to allo- and autoantibody induction and refractoriness, mechanisms of bystander hemolysis and approaches to target these pathologic pathways and responses; use and development of novel and relevant mouse models.
- Pathophysiology of Pulmonary Transfusion Reactions, including identification of molecular hits driving TRALI, immune mechanisms of non-antibody mediated and reverse TRALI, novel therapeutic targets and diagnostic biomarkers.
- Development of novel tools to study blood transfusion using organoids and/or disease modeling using iPSCs.
If you are interested in becoming a member of this Working Party, complete the below form.
Current Leadership
John Semple
Professor Semple joined St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto in 1990 and became Head of the Toronto Platelet Immunobiology Group and a Professor of Pharmacology at the University of Toronto. In 2016, he moved to Lund University where he is currently a Professor of Transfusion Medicine and Group Leader in Platelet Immunology. In addition to being the recipient of many awards, he is a member of several organizations and has delivered over 200 presentations at international meetings. He currently serves on the editorial boards of Haematologica, Transfusion, AOB and the Scandinavian Journal of Immunology. His primary research interests include understanding the immunopathogenesis of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP); his laboratory’s pioneering work originally described the helper T cell abnormalities and Th1 skewing in patients with ITP. His lab also focuses on the pathogenic mechanisms that lead to Transfusion-Related Acute Lung Injury (TRALI) and was one of the first to describe Toll-like Receptor (TLR) expression on platelets. He has authored more than 200 peer-reviewed publications in the area of ITP, platelet immunology and TRALI.
