How does ABDS link to other projects at Lifeblood?
Learn more about the different projects your completed survey responses and blood samples will be used for.
Dr Alexis Perros is a research fellow, and she's using genomic techniques and samples from the ABDS biobank to help answer questions about blood group systems and iron storage. In her spare time, you can find her chasing after her toddler, baking and spending time with family.
Read more about Alexis here
Can you tell us about your study?
We're using advanced genetic testing and associated ferritin testing (that’s a blood protein that contains iron) to figure out which donors might be at risk of iron deficiency after donating. We've finished initial testing and are now expanding our research by testing more donor samples from the Australian Blood Donor Study. Our strategy is suitable for wider donor screening to determine genetic variants potentially involved in donor iron recovery.
What do you hope you will find?
Our study could help us personalize how often donors can safely give blood and improve donor health management.
Can you explain genomics?
Genomics is the study of genetic material such as DNA, which basically are the instructions needed to create the human body. Units of DNA, called genes, are responsible for many pathways and processes in the body. By determining the exact order of the DNA bases in genes of interest (also known as sequencing), we can investigate genes and their variations. These changes may play a role in biological process like iron storage capacity, and blood group systems.
What part of this study are you most excited about?
The opportunity to improve the experience of our donors! Particularly by keeping them informed of their ability to recover their iron stores.
What is your favourite part of doing research at Lifeblood?
My research at Lifeblood contributes to not only donors, but also to the wider transfusion community. Knowing that our research can make a real difference inspires and focuses our research projects.
Recent publications from the study
, , , , , , et al. Willingness of blood donors in Australia to provide additional data and blood sample for health research. Transfusion. 2021; 61: 2855–2861. https://doi.org/10.1111/trf.16629
Carley Gemelli
Carley coordinates program management for R&D and works as a project manager across a number of projects. Her research focuses on improving the donors’ experience when their donation is postponed. She’s interested in using statistical techniques to analyse data and developing techniques to encourage donors to return.Carley has a research background in Medical Science and Epidemiology looking at infectious diseases and longitudinal health risks. She has a Masters in Applied Statistics and Clinical Epidemiology. She loves working in an applied setting and seeing research findings translated into practice.
Doctor Surendra Karki
Surendra uses large-scale data to conduct epidemiological research and understand blood donors’ health and wellbeing. He's always sharing his knowledge of clinical and epidemiological study design to help everyone get the best outcomes. Before joining the team at Lifeblood, Surendra obtained his PhD in Epidemiology from Monash University. He went on to work as a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of New South Wales in Sydney.
You may also like
