Fundamentals of Anti-Sickling Therapies for Sickle Cell Disease
Official title: Fundamentals of Anti-Sickling Therapies
Funded at Drexel University · NIH-11400324 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research project at Drexel University aims to deepen our understanding of how anti-sickling treatments work to help people with sickle cell disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Drexel University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $482,463 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL179440-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11400324 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with sickle cell disease or allied hematologic research opportunities, particularly those who may contribute samples or participate in future translational trials.
✕Less likely to help
People without sickle cell disease or those not connected to future trial opportunities may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at why fetal hemoglobin helps prevent the dangerous sickling of red blood cells and how gene delivery and drug screening can be better used to treat sickle cell disease. Researchers will explore the mechanisms by which HbF reduces HbS fiber formation and examine how new therapies might be optimized. The work combines laboratory studies of blood components with high-throughput screening of potential anti-sickling compounds to translate findings into better treatment options. The goal is to lay a mechanistic foundation that informs safer, more effective therapies for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could inform stronger, more rational strategies for treating sickle cell disease and improve the effectiveness of emerging therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that understanding HbF’s role is crucial, but a clear mechanistic link remains to be established, making this approach promising but still exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
Drexel University
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ferrone, Frank a — Drexel University
- Study coordinator: Ferrone, Frank a
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.