Division of Blood Diseases and Resources

The NHLBI Division of Blood Diseases and Resources (DBDR) plans, directs, and evaluates the Institute's programs in hematology, hematologic diseases (except malignancies of the blood), and immunologic and other disorders of white blood cells, transfusion medicine, blood resources, and marrow and stem cell transplantation. These programs include basic research, prevention, applied research and development, clinical trials, education, demonstration, and control activities. The Division monitors current activities and national needs and seeks to develop and support research into the causes, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases of the blood. Research on the use of blood and blood components in the treatment and prevention of diseases and the management of the nation's blood resources and transplantable tissue are also supported. A variety of support mechanisms are utilized, including research grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, centers, grants, career development awards, fellowships, and research training grants. Two programs comprise the DBDR, the Blood Diseases Program, and the Blood Resources Program.

Blood Diseases Program

The Blood Diseases Program supports research and training in cellular hematology and sickle cell disease. Targeted programs include disorders of the red cell, disorders of hematopoiesis, thalassemia and sickle cell disease. Specifically, in the area of thalassemia and sickle cell disease, research is focused on pathophysiology, genetics, regulation of hemoglobin synthesis, iron chelation, development of pharmacologic agents that increase fetal hemoglobin production, gene therapy, animal models, management, and therapy. In the sickle cell area, additional basic research is directed at membrane function, red cell rheology, and the adherence of red cells to the vascular endothelium. Clinical studies of sickle cell disease include the natural history of the disorder, stroke prevention, the long term effects of hydroxyurea therapy, and dosing study of hydroxyurea in the pediatric population. A multidisciplinary program of basic, clinical, and applied research is supported through the Comprehensive Sickle Cell Centers. In the area of cellular hematology, activities to reduce the morbidity and mortality caused by disorders of the hematopoietic system and to prevent the occurrence of these disorders are developed and supported. Research is carried out in three subprograms: red blood cell membrane and enzyme systems, hematopoiesis and stem cell biology, and Cooley's anemia and other hemoglobin variants. Multidisciplinary research on the stem cell is supported in Specialized Centers of Research.

Blood Resources Program

The Blood Resources Program supports research and training in bone marrow transplantation, thrombosis and hemostasis, and transfusion medicine. Specifically, it supports basic, clinical, and applied research on unrelated-donor marrow transplantation and pathogenesis, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of major complications of transplantation. Studies of transplantation of stem cells from marrow, peripheral, and cord blood are emphasized. The Program also focuses on thromboembolic disorders, platelet disorders, megakaryocytes, and hemorrhagic disorders. Other targeted areas include blood component and blood derivative therapy, safety of blood therapy, immunohematology, development of blood substitutes, and blood resource management. Basic and applied research to develop and test methods to reduce the risk of HIV-infection by transfusion of blood, blood components, and blood derivatives is emphasized. Specialized Centers of Research support a multidisciplinary approach to thrombosis and hemostasis and to transfusion medicine.

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

Phone numbers are available in the Abbreviated Staff Directory