Research enables innovation and provides options to patients who may benefit from novel approaches to treatment and care. The members of the UBC Division of Hematology are active across a broad spectrum of hematological disorders, including both benign and malignant conditions.
The UBC Division of Hematology pioneers investigation in clinical, translational and basic sciences attracting talent and collaboration locally and from around the world. The Division is internationally-renowned for its strong clinical expertise and translational approaches in hematology. For more information on our members, please see Faculty.
The research is supported through the Hematology Research Program (HRP) and the Hematology Cell Bank of British Columbia (HCB) along with collaboration with our various colleagues at the BC Genome Sciences Centre, the Terry Fox Laboratory, the BC Cancer Research Centre, the UBC Centre for Blood Research and other associate centres.
Support world-class hematology research right here in Vancouver through the VGH + UBC Hospital Foundation.
Areas of Active Research
- acute biphenotypic leukemiaacute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
- acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
- amyloidosis
- bone marrow transplant (BMT)
- cancer-associated thrombosis
- chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
- chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)
- complement activation
- Graft-Versus-Host Disease (GVHD)
- hemoglobinopathies
- hemophilias A & B
- idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)
- multiple myeloma
- myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)
- myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs)
- non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs)
- paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH)
- perioperative management
- supportive care strategies
- thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)
- transfusion medicine
- venous thromboembolism &
- von Willebrand Disease
- other blood-related conditions
Hematology Cell Bank of BC
The Hematology Cell Bank of British Columbia (HCB) was established in September of 2005 to collect and store human biospecimens and related clinical data for scientific research into blood disease and malignancies. The objective of the Hematology Cell Bank of BC is to bring into practice the principles of translational research by encouraging open collaboration between scientists and clinicians, directly impacting the health outcomes of hematology patients.
The HCB represents a partnership between clinicians and staff of the Leukemia / Bone Marrow Transplant Program of BC, research scientists at the Terry Fox Laboratory, and collaborating scientists around the world. Specimens from consented patients and healthy donors are collected for researcher use. Access to specimen related clinical data is also available. Storage, processing and laboratory technician support is provided by the Eaves Stem Cell Assay Laboratory located at the British Columbia Cancer Research Centre.
The HCB is governed by a research ethics board approved protocol that outlines its operation and the scope of research permitted. Hematology Cell Bank operation is overseen by an advisory and research working group made up of clinician and researcher members. All specimens collected by the HCB and released for researcher use meet Research Ethics Board (REB) approval.
Specimens collected include:
- Blood
- Bone marrow biopsy material
- Harvested bone marrow
- Peripheral blood stem cells
- Excess leukapheresis product
Specimens are collected throughout the patient’s treatment period and include diagnostic, follow-up, remission and relapse samples.
Stored specimens are available to researchers actively participating in hematology research. Disease specific Hematology Working Group members oversee the use of specimen resources.
The scope of research includes:
- Normal cell production and differences between normal and leukemic blood cell
- Genetic and cellular events which lead to disease in normal cells
- Genetic modification of blood cells and leukemic blood cells
- Stem Cell Transplant
- Methods of improving transfusion support and increasing blood production in the body
- Treatments/Agents superiority with respect to efficacy and preservation of normal cells
- Methods for ex vivo blood cell production
Hematology Research Program
More details found here: Hematology Research Program website