Vitalant

Vitalant research institute (vri) - the vitalant research institute carries out studies funded by extramural grants (nih and other agencies) and receives intramural funding from vitalant between $7.0m and $10.0m each year. Vri has historically been noted for contributions to infectious disease testing / monitoring, epidemiology / public policy, and selected non-infectious risks of transfusion. Recent research efforts include characterization of metabolic and genetic factors that influence red blood cell stability, and since the pandemic, a host of critically important studies to understand sars-cov-2 epidemiology, the safety of the blood supply, the time course of its antibody response/immunity and the efficacy of covid convalescent plasma. A public service, vri's research extends far beyond organizational development efforts, benefiting patients all over the us (and the world) as well as competing us blood centers, improving blood product quality, recipient safety, and the donor experience. Vri supports training programs for specialists in transfusion medicine and the development of research scientists in a host of transfusion medicine subspecialties. Vri investigators published more than 100 peer-reviewed original research papers in 2024 along with many more reviews, editorials, book chapters and scientific meeting abstracts. Together, vri's 12 investigators, 2 clinical investigators, 16 affiliated investigators, 6 core leaders, 10 administrative staff and ~70 scientists, technologists and post-docs have contributed to major discoveries in transfusion safety and efficacy.