Cancelas Lab Research
What We Study
The Cancelas research lab studies hematopoietic stem cells (HSC), which are able to self-renew and differentiate into all functional types of blood cells. HSC attract clinical interest because of their potential use in stem cell and gene therapy and because of their involvement in leukemia. Current focus is on the molecular determinants that regulate the proliferation, survival, homing and retention of hematopoietic stem cells in relation to the so-called “stem cell niche” in benign and malignant hematopoiesis. We also investigate red cell storage and pathogen inactivation. We develop and validate new red cell-containing products with improved safety and efficacy profile for use in massive transfusion protocols. We recruit students from the molecular and developmental biology program.
The Cancelas research lab projects include:
- Rac GTPases inhibition in chronic myelogenous leukemia
- Vav / Rac as a molecular target in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia
- Connexin-43 in bone marrow failure after cancer-related chemotherapy
- Pathogen inactivation of red blood cell products
- Validation of a source of lyophilized plasma for human use
- In vivo viability of platelet cryopreservation
Jose A. Cancelas, MD, PhD, is medical director, cellular therapies, Hoxworth Blood Center; program leader, Stem Cell Biology Program, experimental hematology and cancer biology, Cincinnati Children’s; associate professor, pediatrics and medicine, the University of Cincinnati Medical Center; and faculty member, graduate program in molecular and developmental biology, experimental hematology and cancer biology, Cincinnati Children’s.
