The objectives of the ThalLab are the following:
1. The identification of new inducers of erythroid differentiation of K562 cells.
2. The development of new technologies for isolation, cloning and in vitro induction of hematopoietic cells. A first objective was to transfer at the University of Ferrara the method developed by Eitan Fibach (Blood, 73, 100-103, 1989) on erythroid progenitors from peripheral blood. This method was very important for complete the research carried out on K562 cells, allowing the identification of HbF inducers.
3. The development of RT-PCR approaches for the identification of inducers of gamma-globini gene expression.
4. The development of patents on molecules able to induce erythroid differentiation. The objective of the period 2000-2002 was to produce three new patents.
5. To perform experiments on the issue of synthetic oligonucleotides able to induce erythroid differentiation.
6. To publish research papers and reviewes on international journals on Thalassemia, citing the sponsorship of the Veneta Association.
7. The organization of seminars and workshops on international research activities concerning haematological diseases.
8. The production of tools (WEB sites, CD-rom) for the dissemination of the knowledge of the molecular bases and the therapy of beta-talassemia.