Prof Sant-Rayn Pasricha, Acting Deputy Director

About

In the laboratory, we study how the master controller of systemic iron homoestasis, hepcidin, is regulated. Hepcidin is responsible for controlling iron absorption from the intestine and iron recycling from degraded red cells by the macrophage.

We are using novel epigenetic approaches to characterise new pathways which may regulate hepcidin gene expression. In addition, we are studying mechanisms by which erythropoiesis and anaemia may affect hepcidin expression.

In the field, we are undertaking large randomised controlled trials of iron interventions in rural Bangladesh (infants) and Malawi (pregnant women). These trials will provide much needed evidence to inform global health anaemia control policies. Samples from these trials will be available for analysis using cutting edge platforms including 16S rRNA gene sequencing for microbiota, CyTOF and flow cytometry, and molecular characterization, for example using high throughput RNA sequencing.

Finally, we assist and advise international and national organisations with research and policy development.

Education

Joint appointments

Grants and funding

Publications

Selected publications from Prof Sant-Rayn Pasricha

Mzembe G, Moya E, Mwangi MN, Ataide R, Harding R, Kaunda J, Zinenani T, Mhango G, Stones W, Mtambo O, Demir AY, Verhoef H, Braat S, Pasricha S-R, Phiri KS. Postpartum maternal and infant haematological effects of second-trimester ferric carboxymaltose versus standard-of-care oral iron in Malawi: longitudinal follow-up of a randomised controlled trial. The Lancet Global Health. 2024;12(12):10.1016/s2214-109x(24)00380-2

Hasan MI, Ahmed S, McLean ARD, M Quaiyum Rahman A, Bhuiyan MSA, Tipu SMMU, Braat S, Arifeen SE, Hamadani JD, Pasricha S-R, Davidson EM. High anaemia and iron deficiency prevalence among pregnant women living in low groundwater iron areas of Bangladesh. BMC Public Health. 2024;24(1):10.1186/s12889-024-20480-2

Bennett C, Pettikiriarachchi A, McLean ARD, Harding R, Blewitt ME, Seillet C, Pasricha S. Serum iron and transferrin saturation variation are circadian regulated and linked to the harmonic circadian oscillations of erythropoiesis and hepatic Tfrc expression in mice. American Journal of Hematology. 2024;99(11):10.1002/ajh.27447

Baldi A, Braat S, Hasan MI, Bennett C, Barrios M, Jones N, Abdul Azeez I, Wilcox S, Roy PK, Bhuiyan MSA, Ataide R, Clucas D, Larson LM, Hamadani J, Zimmermann M, Bowden R, Jex A, Biggs B-A, Pasricha S-R. Effects of iron supplements and iron-containing micronutrient powders on the gut microbiome in Bangladeshi infants: a randomized controlled trial. Nature Communications. 2024;15(1):10.1038/s41467-024-53013-x

Baldi A, Braat S, Imrul Hasan M, Bennett C, Barrios M, Jones N, Moir-Meyer G, Abdul Azeez I, Wilcox S, Saiful Alam Bhuiyan M, Ataide R, Clucas D, Harrison LC, Arifeen SE, Bowden R, Biggs B-A, Jex A, Pasricha S-R. Community use of oral antibiotics transiently reprofiles the intestinal microbiome in young Bangladeshi children. Nature Communications. 2024;15(1):10.1038/s41467-024-51326-5

Castro OL, De Franceschi L, Ganz T, Kanter J, Kato GJ, Pasricha S, Rivella S, Wood JC. Iron restriction in sickle cell disease: When less is more. American Journal of Hematology. 2024;99(7):10.1002/ajh.27267

Casal MNG, Rogers LM, Pasricha S-R. Updated WHO Guidelines on the Assessment of Haemoglobin and Cutoffs for Defining Anaemia. Current Developments in Nutrition. 2024;8:10.1016/j.cdnut.2024.102942

Fielding KL, Braat S, Pasricha S-R. The effects of upward revision of haemoglobin thresholds for anaemia in blood donations – Authors’ reply. The Lancet Haematology. 2024;11(6):10.1016/s2352-3026(24)00112-1

Pasricha S-R, Rogers L, Branca F, Garcia-Casal M-N. Measuring haemoglobin concentration to define anaemia: WHO guidelines. The Lancet. 2024;403(10440):10.1016/s0140-6736(24)00502-6

Braat S, Fielding KL, Han J, Jackson VE, Zaloumis S, Xu JXH, Moir-Meyer G, Blaauwendraad SM, Jaddoe VWV, Gaillard R, Parkin PC, Borkhoff CM, Keown-Stoneman CDG, Birken CS, Maguire JL, Team GHR, Bahlo M, Davidson EM, Pasricha S-R. Haemoglobin thresholds to define anaemia from age 6 months to 65 years: estimates from international data sources. The Lancet Haematology. 2024;11(4):10.1016/s2352-3026(24)00030-9