Non-malignant Blood Disorders Scientists

Dr. Sara Israels, MD FRCPC

Our platelet research laboratory studies basic mechanisms of platelet function and investigates patients with inherited platelet function abnormalities, in conjunction with the clinical Haemostasis Laboratory. Our projects include:

1) Studies of patients with inherited platelet function disorders, with a particular interest the ultrastructure of platelets as defined by electron microscopy.

2) Development of a national registry of patients with inherited platelet disorders, an opportunity to improve our understanding of these rare conditions, aid in their diagnosis, and evaluate treatment options.

3) Initiatives to standardize laboratory testing of platelet function and evaluate new methods for testing that will be clinically relevant.

4) Investigating the role of CD63, a member of the tetraspanin superfamily present on platelet dense granule and lysosomal granule membranes, and expressed on the platelet surface following activation, where it associates with the platelet integrin αIIbβ3, and with the contractile platelet cytoskeleton. It plays a role in platelet spreading on adhesive surfaces. Understanding the role of CD63 has implications beyond platelet function, as it, and similar molecules, may be involved in tumour cell migration and metastases.

Contact information:

Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
675 McDermot Ave
Winnipeg, Mb
R3E 0V9

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Professor. Ryan Zarychanski MD MSc FRCPC

Dr. Zarychanski is a Professor, Hematologist, Critical Care physician, and Clinician-Scientist at the University of Manitoba and CancerCare Manitoba. His research focuses on the hematologic aspects of critical illness where he leads several national and international randomized trials in the fields of sepsis, anticoagulation and transfusion medicine. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he served as the Chair for recent adaptive platform trials evaluating anticoagulation strategies in COVID-19 and sepsis, and has contributed to the establishment of a novel trial methods of global collaboration in clinical trials, including the development of the multiplatform randomized trial (mpRCT).

Contact information

2056-675 McDermot Ave
Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9

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