Research Projects

Genetic disorders are one of the primary reasons for infant mortality. One such monogenic disorder is Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), which is caused by a transversion mutation (A-to-T) in a gene (?-globin), leading to the production of abnormal haemoglobin S (Hgb S). This leads to the physical deformation of red blood cells which in turn can influence their migration in the blood vessels. Due to their shape and rigidity, these deformed red blood cells (RBCs) can get stuck in blood vessels causing blockage and hypoxia. Blood is a multicomponent suspension which follows a unique segregation behaviour during the blood flow, the RBCs tend to migrate away in the centre of the blood vessel while the other cellular components migrate towards the vessel walls. This segregation pattern of blood can mainly be attributed to various physical parameters such as shape, size and deformability. The study intends to understand how the change in the said physical properties affects the blood flow in haematological disorders such as SCD. We aim to develop a two-dimensional model of RBCs in normal and SCD states. The proposed model will be subject to Langevin Dynamics simulations, helping us to understand how the distribution and dynamics of blood cells are influenced in SCD. The models represented as discrete particles, which will be having non-linear, elastic properties in the case of RBCs and will be rigid bodies for SCD. During simulation studies, these models will be subjected to a different set of forces impacting their morphology and flow patterns. It will intriguing to elucidate how the geometrical factors can play a role in the entrapment of sickle cells become within narrow blood capillaries. The outcome of this project will improve our knowledge and understanding of haematologic diseases which in turn can aid in designing novel therapies.