Understanding how platelets behave in sickle cell disease
Official title: Investigating Platelet Immune Mechanisms in Sickle Cell Disease
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11416538 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A physician-scientist-in-training will study how platelets function differently in people with sickle cell disease to find better ways to prevent painful crises.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $168,048 |
| NIH project number | 5K08HL175198-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11416538 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are individuals with sickle cell disease who can provide blood samples for platelet analysis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without sickle cell disease or those who cannot donate blood may not directly benefit from this study.
What this research studies
This grant supports a career development program for Dr. Sean Gu to gain advanced skills in hematopathology and platelet biology. The project uses high-throughput methods to examine the different states of platelets in sickle cell patients and analyzes blood samples from participants. Mentored by a team led by Dr. John Hwa, the work aims to translate cellular insights into more targeted therapies for sickle cell disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new approaches that prevent or lessen vaso-occlusive events in sickle cell patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown platelet abnormalities in sickle cell disease, but more precise, high-throughput profiling is needed to guide targeted therapies.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gu, Sean Xiang — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Gu, Sean Xiang
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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.