Hema Now: Understanding Sickle Cell Disease

In this episode of Hema Now, Karina Yazdanbakhsh speaks about her journey into immunology, the challenges of alloimmunisation, and the evolving landscape of transfusion medicine. She also reflects on receiving the prestigious Henry M. Stratton Medal for Basic Research at ASH 2025 and what this recognition means for her work. The conversation explores key insights from ASH 2025, highlights pressing immunological issues in sickle cell disease, and looks ahead to emerging technologies shaping personalised transfusion strategies. Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction 00:59 - Stratton Medal meaning 02:19 - ASH 2025 highlights 13:11 - Sickle cell challenges 17:00 - Immune tolerance evolution 18:55 - Institute research priorities 27:20 - Novel therapeutics role 29:04 - Early career advice 29:43 - Emerging technologies impact 32:30 – Three magic wishes for healthcare Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this episode belong to the speakers and do not necessarily represent the opinions of EMJ. Disclosure: Yazdanbakhsh has declared grants/contracts and support for the present work from National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).