Item Details

title

STUDIES IN BLOOD AND BLOOD PROTEIN THERAPEUTICS

author

Alipour, Elmira

abstract

As in other aspects of our lives, the guiding lights of science help us understand theliving world and the ways its many species functions. Advances in our knowledge have brought quality of life improvements. There have been countless blood-related studies over centuries by many great men and women and yet we still pledge to discover more and to expand the depth of knowledge from the smallest to the largest scales. Despite adequate studies on numerous blood components and mechanisms, there is no limit to enhancing various existing complications which are targeted in this dissertation. Here I have tried to deliver my contribution to the field of biophysics from discovering antidotes to the leading cause of human poisoning death in the United States (carbon monoxide poisoning) to finding solutions to treat thrombosis, an extremely common problem and the underlying cause of one of every four deaths worldwide. I have also investigated some aspects of a group of inherited red blood cell disorders known as sickle cell disease, in addition to exploring a star protein -hemoglobin- and its involvement with a unique signaling molecule nitric oxide, and its invested donors. Laser pulse flash photolysis, spectrophotometry, ektacytometry, electron paramagnetic resonance, turbidity assays, light therapy, and flow cytometry are all included and employed in my work. A potential antidote for carbon monoxide poisoning, comparable changes in nitrite bioactivation levels by hemoglobin molecules under sickle conditions of blood cells, a combination of three amino acids treatment for improving deformability in stressed red cells, an ideal animal model for studies of sickle cell anemia, and enhancing and potentially preventing blood clot formations as thrombosis treatment on both micro and macro scales are summarized discoveries of my work. Each is discussed in detail and embedded in this dissertation. The importance of researching blood therapeutics is undeniable, and this treatise aims to share valuable findings and provides guidance to the rest of the journey for other curious individuals.

subject

blood clots

nitric oxide

nitrite

red blood cells

sickle cell disease

thrombosis

contributor

Kim-Shapiro, Daniel B. (advisor)

Cordy, Regina J. (committee member)

Carroll, David L. (committee member)

Guthold, Martin (committee member)

Salsbury, Freddie R. (committee member)

date

2023-07-25T17:48:40Z (accessioned)

2023 (issued)

degree

Physics (discipline)

embargo

2025-06-06 (terms)

2025-06-06 (liftdate)

identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/10339/102258 (uri)

language

en (iso)

publisher

Wake Forest University

type

Dissertation