Centre for Blood Research and Laboratory for Molecular Biophysics

The Centre for Blood Research (CBR) applies contemporary methods of biotechnology to the study of blood and blood processing to enhance the Canadian blood system. This unit brings together the CBR and UBC’s Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, a campus-wide resource for physically characterizing biological macromolecules (such as those that make up blood) through advanced instrument/technology research, development and support. With the clustering of clinical scientists, basic scientists and engineers in one space, this unit is uniquely positioned to create new, fundamental and practical knowledge in transfusion science.

The Centre for Blood Research (CBR) applies contemporary methods of biotechnology to the study of blood and blood processing to enhance the Canadian blood system. This unit brings together the CBR and UBC’s Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, a campus-wide resource for physically characterizing biological macromolecules (such as those that make up blood) through advanced instrument/technology research, development and support. With the clustering of clinical scientists, basic scientists and engineers in one space, this unit is uniquely positioned to create new, fundamental and practical knowledge in transfusion science.

The Centre for Blood Research is a newly formed multidisciplinary research unit that focuses on applying contemporary methods of biotechnology to the study of blood and blood processing. The centre’s goal is to create new fundamental and practical knowledge in transfusion science, leading to the development of therapeutics that will eliminate the need for donor blood. Critical to the success of this research is the establishment of strong collaborative links with the University of British Columbia’s Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, a campus-wide resource for physically characterizing biological macromolecules.

The Centre for Blood Research has established a cross-disciplinary centre at UBC that is the first of four national centres in transfusion science partnered with Canadian Blood Services. A unique feature of the UBC centre is the clustering of clinical scientists, basic scientists and engineers, with immediate access to advanced instrumentation provided by the Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics. This creates a powerful force for innovative research in three themes:

Blood plasma proteome in diagnosis and treatment After donation, blood is broken down into various components so that patients receive only the component they require (e.g. plasma, coagulants, immune cells and red blood cells). With the sophisticated analysis techniques now available, this program will focus on delineating all of the components (proteins) present in blood. This will contribute to the identification and extraction of additional proteins for use in developing new therapeutics and as markers in identifying disease. It will also lead to improvements in manufacturing artificial blood products and in the preservation and stabilization of blood products extracted from blood.

Optimizing value derived from donor platelets Methods presently used for preparation and storage of platelets (blood cells that participate in clotting) are not optimal, resulting in marked deterioration of platelet quality by seven days. This research aims to identify and address the causes of the deterioration to enable prolonged storage of high quality platelets for patients.

Creation of artificial blood components The development of therapeutic agents to replace donor-derived blood products addresses two key issues in transfusion medicine: minimizing the risk of transmitting bacteria and viruses and reducing reliance on donors. Considerable progress has been made with red blood cell replacements, and recombinant protein engineering has led to replacements for anti-hemophilia factors (factor VIII and IX). Much remains to be done, however, before substitutes are in place for donor-derived platelets and plasma, which is where researchers at this centre will focus their efforts.

Award term completed September 2009.