Puget Sound Blood Center | Research: Xiaoyun Fu Laboratory - Lab Members, Grady R. Blacken, Ph.D.

Xiaoyun Fu Laboratory

Grady R. Blacken, Ph.D.
Red blood cells stored for prolonged time periods (>42d) under blood banking conditions are known to accumulate irreversible damage that ultimately affects their viability. This class of conditions, known as the red blood cell (RBC) storage lesion, exhibits the same characteristics as many inherited hemolytic anemias, but is still poorly understood. My research focuses on the role of modifications to membrane skeletal proteins as a function of inherited RBC disease and prolonged RBC storage.

Furthermore, we are developing proteomic approaches to elucidate the signaling mechanisms, particularly those propagated by post-translational modifications, involved in platelet activation and thrombosis. For these studies we will employ the high-throughput and high resolution techniques of nano-liquid chromatography and Fourier transform mass spectrometry (LC-FTMS). With this robust analytical platform, we will be able to comprehensively evaluate the role of mis-regulated modifications such as oxidation and phosphorylation in various hemolytic anemias and blood clotting.