Welcome to the Blumberg Lab

Dr. Blumberg's research includes collection of blood from donors, as well as processing and storage of red cells, platelets and plasma.

The main objective of the laboratory is to understand the immunobiology of red cell and platelet transfusion and to devise strategies for reducing the toxicity of blood transfusions to patients. Our cutting edge laboratory investigation program is helping redefine the immunobiology of blood transfusion while also innovating in the area of platelet biology research. Our research is highly translational, involving clinicians and basic scientists from multiple specialties and backgrounds, including hematology, immunology, transfusion medicine, pulmonology and intensive care, cardiology, lung biology and cell biology.

Our laboratory works in close collaboration with the laboratory of Richard P. Phipps and Dr. Sherry Spinelli in the Environmental Medicine/Lung Biology and Disease Program. Our two laboratories have pioneered work on the immunomodulatory and inflammatory effects of blood transfusion, both in vitro and clinically. They were also the first to describe a role for transcription factors in non-genomic regulation of platelet function.

Drs. Blumberg and Refaai are leading investigations into the biology and clinical significance of interactions of ABO antibodies and immune complexes with platelets possessing those antigens, because of the potential vital clinical significance of transfusing ABO non-identical antigens and or antibodies to critically ill and/or bleeding patients.

Drs. Blumberg and Cholette are leading investigations into the immunobiology of transfusion in critically ill children, including transfusion thresholds and clinical outcomes.

The lab is also equipped for ELISA immunoassays, stem cell processing and cryopreservation.