Sickle Cell Anemia

Sickle cell anemia is a serious disease in which the body makes sickle-shaped red blood cells. “Sickle-shaped” means that the red blood cells are shaped like a "C." Normal red blood cells are disc-shaped and look like doughnuts without holes in the center. They move easily through your blood vessels. Red blood cells contain the protein hemoglobin. This iron-rich protein gives blood its red color and carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Sickle cells contain abnormal hemoglobin that causes the cells to have a sickle shape. Sickle-shaped cells don’t move easily through your blood vessels. They’re stiff and sticky and tend to form clumps and get stuck in the blood vessels. (Other cells also may play a role in this clumping process.) The clumps of sickle cells block blood flow in the blood vessels that lead to the limbs and organs. Blocked blood vessels can cause pain, serious infections, and organ damage.
What is Sickle-Cell Disease?

Sickle cell disease (SCD), also known as sick cell anaemia, encompasses a group of genetic disorders characterized by abnormal haemoglobin in red blood cells.

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Overview

Feature Articles

Latest Sickle Cell Anemia News and Research

Black Americans still suffer worse health. Here’s why there’s so little progress

Black Americans still suffer worse health. Here’s why there’s so little progress

Indiana University scientists pioneer oculomics research with NIH support

Indiana University scientists pioneer oculomics research with NIH support

AI-driven oculomics assesses HbA1c for cardiovascular risk

AI-driven oculomics assesses HbA1c for cardiovascular risk

Stroke risk rises in patients with sickle cell disease despite established guidelines

Stroke risk rises in patients with sickle cell disease despite established guidelines

Novel technique maps enhancer-gene interactions in single cells

Novel technique maps enhancer-gene interactions in single cells

Study finds lack of preventative care for children with sickle cell anemia

Study finds lack of preventative care for children with sickle cell anemia

Pain screening could improve care for youth with sickle cell disease

Pain screening could improve care for youth with sickle cell disease

CRISPR revolutionized: New method edits genes directly in the body

CRISPR revolutionized: New method edits genes directly in the body

Hydroxyurea treatment can greatly benefit children with sickle cell anemia, study reveals

Hydroxyurea treatment can greatly benefit children with sickle cell anemia, study reveals

Study: Two-thirds of babies with sickle cell disease are born to mothers living in disadvantaged areas

Study: Two-thirds of babies with sickle cell disease are born to mothers living in disadvantaged areas

Research breaks ground on new ways of treating blood disorders with gene therapy

Research breaks ground on new ways of treating blood disorders with gene therapy

New gene editing approach could revolutionize the treatment of blood disorders

New gene editing approach could revolutionize the treatment of blood disorders

MIT expert calls for a total overhaul of the U.S. health insurance system

MIT expert calls for a total overhaul of the U.S. health insurance system

UCSF's new pain clinic in Walnut Creek offers hope for children with chronic pain

UCSF's new pain clinic in Walnut Creek offers hope for children with chronic pain

AI predicts on- and off-target activity of RNA-targeting CRISPRs

AI predicts on- and off-target activity of RNA-targeting CRISPRs

Duke researchers expand functionality of CRISPR gene editing

Duke researchers expand functionality of CRISPR gene editing

Targeting the hemoglobin problem in sickle cell disease using a new drug

Targeting the hemoglobin problem in sickle cell disease using a new drug

New approach addresses the challenge of directly connecting genetic variants to human traits, health

New approach addresses the challenge of directly connecting genetic variants to human traits, health

Combination treatment could improve stem cell transplantation process for multiple myeloma patients

Combination treatment could improve stem cell transplantation process for multiple myeloma patients

Novel tool uses AI to predict the efficacy of genome-editing repair options

Novel tool uses AI to predict the efficacy of genome-editing repair options

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