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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.

Publications

Selected publications from Prof Sant-Rayn Pasricha

Starr M, Harding R, Ataíde R, Von Dinklage N, Sinharoy SS, Jayasinghe Y, Manda-Taylor L, Fisher J, Braat S, Pasricha S-R. Epidemiology of menstrual-related absenteeism in 44 low-income and middle-income countries: a cross-sectional analysis of Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys. The Lancet Global Health. 2025;13(2):10.1016/s2214-109x(24)00468-6

Pasricha S-R, Moya E, Ataíde R, Mzembe G, Harding R, Mwangi MN, Zinenani T, Prang K-H, Kaunda J, Mtambo OPL, Vokhiwa M, Mhango G, Mamani-Mategula E, Fielding K, Demir A, Von Dinklage N, Verhoef H, McLean AR, Manda-Taylor L, Braat S, Phiri KS. Ferric carboxymaltose for anemia in late pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial. Nature Medicine. 2025;31(1):10.1038/s41591-024-03385-w

Pasricha S-R, Moya E, Ataíde R, Mzembe G, Harding R, Mwangi MN, Zinenani T, Prang K-H, Kaunda J, Mtambo OPL, Vokhiwa M, Mhango G, Mamani-Mategula E, Fielding K, Demir A, Von Dinklage N, Verhoef H, McLean AR, Manda-Taylor L, Braat S, Phiri KS. Author Correction: Ferric carboxymaltose for anemia in late pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial. Nature Medicine. 2025;31(1):10.1038/s41591-025-03492-2

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

Raman I, Bennett C, Juneja S, Yannakou CK, Indran T, Pasricha S-R. Dysregulated Complement Activation in Polycythemia Vera: A Novel Mechanism for Thrombosis in Myeloproliferative Neoplasms Uncovered By Proteomic Analysis. Blood. 2024;144(Supplement 1):10.1182/blood-2024-206614

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

Lab research projects

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