Thomas D. Coates, MD

I primarily work in two areas of basic and translational research: 1) the role of inflammation in the genesis of vascular disease in sickle cell disease; 2) the detection and management of transfusion related iron overload. Our research employs various engineering-intensive methodologies (MRI, laser Doppler flow, digital image analysis, signal processing) to explore the basic mechanisms of sickle cell disease and to measure the effect of various treatment modalities. We use direct measures of microvascular blood flow to monitor the process of vasoocclusion and relate it to simultaneous measures of autonomic nervous system function. These methodologies translate in measurements that can be used to follow patients clinically. In collaboration with members of the Cardiology, Pulmonology, and Radiology Departments at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, the Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Physiology/Biophysics at the Keck School of Medicine, we devised methods to measure the sickling process in human sickle cell subjects and relate these measurements to clinical factors that modulate disease severity.

• Multimodal biophysical markers of vascular disease in hemoglobinopathies
  NIH · U01HL117718 · Aug 15, 2013 – May 31, 2019 · Role: Principal Investigator
• SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BLOOD SAFETY SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM IN HEMATOLOGICAL DISORFERS
  NIH · U50DD000874 · May 1, 2012 – Apr 30, 2015 · Role: Principal Investigator
• Basic and Translational Research Program
  NIH · U54HL090511 · Jun 15, 2008 – Feb 28, 2013 · Role: Principal Investigator
• Research Initiatives for the Preventions of Complications of Thalassemia
  NIH · U01DD000309 · Sep 30, 2007 – Sep 29, 2012 · Role: Principal Investigator
• Human models of sickle cell vascular damage
  NIH · R01HL071801 · Jul 8, 2003 – Jun 30, 2008 · Role: Principal Investigator
• GRANULES AND ORGANELLES AND LEUKOCYTE ACTIVATION
  NIH · R01AI023547 · Sep 1, 1985 – Nov 30, 1999 · Role: Principal Investigator

• Wood, John
• Klausner, Jeffrey
• Detterich, Jon
• Doyle, Eamon
• Holloway, Ian
• Demetriades, Demetrios