Novel techniques in transfusion medicine: Advancing clinical investigations and discovering new ligands of platelets

Platelets, plasma, and intravenous coagulation factors are vital blood products and profoundly supplied by Canadian Blood Services (CBS). Platelets have important functions to stop bleeding at injured blood vessels by adhesion and aggregation. Following transfusion, the interactions between plasma proteins with major endothelium and platelet membrane receptors like GPIbα and GPIIbIIIa lead to platelet activation/aggregation. Coagulopathy is a bleeding disorder caused by impaired haemostasis. Despite extensive transfusion support, fatalities often occur in cases of trauma-induced bleeding. We recently developed two novel molecular probing techniques that feature receptors of interest immobilized onto biolayer sensors. Our method benefits Canadians as we can identify novel plasma proteins that bind to platelet receptors and plasma factors leading to improved quality of CBS transfusion products. These biosensors will also be applied towards robust high throughput assays to characterize the types of crucial haemostasis factors. This study will allude to the optimized storage of blood products and minimized adverse effects for transfusions of platelet and plasma products. Additionally, our project aims to develop a quick assessment tool for identifying coagulopathy and impaired haemostasis, which will aid in providing appropriate treatment to patients with trauma-induced bleeding and ultimately save lives.

BECKETT, Andrew

University of Toronto

Postdoctoral Fellowship Program

Ontario

$164,200