Mouse Models of Transfusion Medicine
Program Code: 5131-S
Saturday, October 20, 2007
4:00 PM to 5:30 PM (ET)

MODERATOR
Steven Spitalnik, MD, Columbia University

SPEAKERS
Steven Spitalnik, MD, Columbia University
James Zimring, MD, PhD, Puget Sound Blood Center Research Institute
Karina Yazdanbakhsh, PhD, New York Blood Center

DESCRIPTION
Our understanding of the mechanisms underlying various phenomena in transfusion medicine remains incomplete. The use of animal models to study these issues can lead to new insights and therapeutic approaches. This workshop will discuss the use of mouse models to understand three topics related to the transfusion and immunology of red cells: immunization to red cell antigens, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, and immune-mediated clearance of alloantigen-incompatible red cells in the context of hemolytic transfusion reactions. The advantages of mouse models and the potential pitfalls in using such models will also be discussed.