Translational Research in Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation

Research Program Description:

Hematology is the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases of the blood and bone marrow as well as of the immunologic, haemostatic, (blood clotting) and vascular systems. Experimental hematology is the scientific study of blood, blood-forming tissues, and the underlying mechanisms of blood diseases.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation refers to transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) into a patient. HSC are immature cells that can develop into any of the three types (lineages) of blood cells: red cells, white cells or platelets. HPC are more developed and are restricted developmentally to one or more but not all lineages. HSC reside in the adult bone marrow and can be mobilized into the peripheral blood with drugs and collected as peripheral blood stem cells. There is also a high concentration of HSC in umbilical cord blood. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation can be either autologous (i.e. using the patient’s own stem cells) or allogeneic (i.e. using stem cells from a donor).

Translational research utilizes the knowledge of human biology to generate and test the feasibility of novel clinical interventions in humans for the benefit of individuals, in this case those patients with severe hematologic diseases. The backbone of the translational research program is the utilization of in vitro laboratory based and in vivo animal model investigation in combination in order to test clinically relevant novel drug, immuno, and cellular therapies. Translational research was defined as research that pushes new therapies from the laboratory bench to the clinical patient’s bedside. Additionally, translational research also involves the movement of information on treatment outcomes from the clinic back to the laboratory. This circular movement of information and novel treatment therapies comprises what is translational research. An important underlying component of translational research is the shortened timeline as compared to basic science research thereby allowing the bridging of basic science and clinical treatment strategies.

The implementation of the translational research program in the sections of Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation at Rush University is expected to have broad reaching implications for all blood cancer patients.

Translational Research Team:

• Kent W. Christopherson, II, PhD
  Assistant Professor of Medicine & Immunology/Microbiology

• Laura Paganessi, MA
  Research Scientist

• Andrew L. Walker, BS
  Research Assistant I

• Stephanie A. Gregory, MD
  The Elodia Kehm Professor of Medicine

• Henry Fung, MD
  The Coleman Foundation Professor of Blood and Bone Marrow Transplantation

• Mary Ann Enriquez, RN, ANP
  Nurse Practitioner

• John Maciejewski, PhD, MD
  Assistant Professor

• Melissa Larson, MD
  Assistant Professor

• Sefer Gezer, MD
  Assistant Professor

• Lisa N. Boggio, MD
  Assistant Professor

• Darilyn Rhoades, RN
  Research Nurse

• Hortense Dillon, NCMA
  Medical Assistant

• Amy Rizman, MMS, PA-C
  Physician Assistant

• Karen Zwicky
  Regulatory Coordinator

For more information:

• Ongoing Studies

• Participating in One of Our Studies

• Principal Investigator

For more information on care for hematology and blood disorders at Rush, visit the Hematology Programs home page.

For more information on stem cell and bone marrow transplantation at Rush visit the Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplant Center home page.