Grant: Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA)

Cellular functions of red blood cells, are affected by multiple mediators and stressors in vivo, contributing to the pathophysiology of various clinical conditions as well red blood cell storage quality in blood banking. Anucleate red blood cells can undergo a process of cell death similar to apoptosis, in which there is exposure of phosphatidylserine in the outer leaflet of the cell membrane. Storage of red blood cell units under blood banking conditions ensures timely availability for transfusion. This Project aims to identify the mechanisms that influence storage-induced vulnerability to ex vivo stress. Cellular alterations in red blood cells will be examined using cytofluorometry techniques. This project aims to uncover the clinical significance of blood bank storage duration of red blood cells units on transfusion outcomes by investigating the biochemical changes in red blood cells. As this work focuses on understanding changes at the cellular level, it falls under the first pillar "Biomedical research" of research supported by CIHR.