Sickle cell disease is a genetic (inherited) blood disorder. We’re working to improve treatment for children with this condition.

Red blood cells with normal haemoglobin are usually round and flexible. In people with sickle cell disease, the shape and texture of the blood cells can change, becoming ‘sickle’ in shape. These sticky red blood cells may block blood vessels. This results in nearby tissue becoming starved of oxygen and leads to episodes of moderate to severe pain − known as a sickle cell crisis.

Existing treatment involves a form of chemotherapy which can have debilitating side effects such as damage to the immune system.

What we’re doing

Sparks is funding a research project that aims to investigate the possibility of a safer, less toxic and more targeted therapy.

The potential impact

There is potential for us to develop an improved method of treatment within the next 10 years.

Location

Oxford Brookes University − £114,345 over 2 years

“Sickle cell disease is a lifelong condition whose crippling effects are first felt in childhood. It’s one of the world’s most common genetic disorders, yet funding for research into the disease is disproportionately low. We are therefore extremely grateful that Sparks have recognised the importance of this condition by funding our research project. We hope that the results uncovered by our work will lead to new treatments for sickle cell disease.”

Dr David Carter, Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Science, Oxford Brookes University

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