How flexible are your red blood cells? – Microfluidic deformability
A step forward in transfusion medicine may involve a new application of microfluidics technology to evaluate the quality of stored red blood cells (RBC).
Beyond clotting: Platelets have active immunoproteasomes!
This research adds to the growing body of evidence that platelets play a bigger role in the immune system than previously thought and suggests that these small cell fragments may have more surprises in store.
The Kizhakkedathu lab discovers a safe and biocompatible anticoagulant reversal agent
The researchers believe that the use of this new drug, possessing universal reversal capabilities, would be most effective in time sensitive high-risk surgeries.
The Overall lab characterizes a new digestion enzyme for proteomics
LysargiNase is an exciting new tool for the proteomic community with specific applications to studying modified protein forms.
“Red Hot” Discovery by CBR Scientists
Calcium is a universal second messenger important for brain and immune homeostasis, activation, proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. The events surrounding Ca2+ mobilization are tightly regulated and involve the coordination of diverse ion channels, membrane receptors, and signalling molecules. A calcium channel TRPV1 , has a well-recognized role in nerve cells that help regulate body temperature and alert the brain to […]
Kizhakkedathu team makes breakthrough toward developing universal O donor RBCs
Through optimizing cell-surface biological reactions, Kizhakkedathu group greatly improved the enzymatic conversion efficiency of A, B and AB red blood cells to universal (O) donor red blood cells.
McNagny et al. provide key insights into longterm effects of antibiotics
In research led by CBR member, Kelly McNagny, and published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, UBC investigators revealed that different antibiotics affect bacteria that play a positive role in promoting a healthy immune system. They found that receiving antibiotic treatments early in life can increase susceptibility to specific diseases later on. Most […]
A Brooks Discovery: Super Glue for Cells
Don Brooks, from the Centre for Blood Research (CBR) at the University of British Columbia, led a group of scientists in Canada to make a super-strong cell membrane adhesive and used it to stick red blood cells together. The polymer, based on the phospholipid head group phosphatidyl choline, could be used to secure cells in […]
Hancock lab tackles malaria by modulating innate immunity
Severe malaria is a blood borne parasitic disease that afflicts more than 200 million individuals annually. Even in the best clinical settings, case fatality rates remain high since anti-malarial drugs are directed against the parasite but do not reduce life-threatening (brain) inflammation. CBR member Dr. Bob Hancock, Director of the Centre for Microbial Diseases and […]
McNagny and colleagues uncover antibiotic link to asthma
Asthma is a common, increasingly frequent, chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that affects over 100 million people worldwide. It is associated with shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing, and necessitates the use of puffers by millions of children. This treatment is required to prevent considerable short- and long-term morbidity and mortality. Although the cause […]