Sant-Rayn Pasricha-Projects

Sant-Rayn Pasricha-Projects

Researcher: 
Associate Professor Sant-Rayn Pasricha

Projects

Last modified: 
Mon, 09/11/2020 - 9:38am

Epigenetic regulation of iron homeostasis

Iron is critical for red blood cell development as well as every other tissue in the body. Absorption and distribution of iron is regulated by the liver-derived hormone, hepcidin. We have found that hepcidin expression is affected by gene-locus specific chromatin state and regulated by HDAC3.

This project will use cutting edge genetic tools and epigenetic assays to establish the role of epigenetic regulation in systemic iron homeostasis, potentially opening new opportunities for treatments of patients with iron disorders.     

Randomised control of intraVenous iron on Anaemia in Malawian Women in Pregnancy (REVAMP)

Antenatal iron supplementation has been shown to be critical to maternal and newborn health; however, in many low income countries, access and adherence to oral iron is limited.  

This trial will determine whether a single high dose of a new form of intravenous iron is better than standard of care oral iron in improving anaemia and benefiting critical maternal and child outcomes including birthweight and prematurity.

The trial is set in Malawi, in partnership with the College of Medicine Malawi, and is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.    

Benefits and risks of iron supplementation in children (BRISC)

This large three-arm randomised controlled trial is comparing iron drops, home-fortification of food with multiple micronutrient powders (MNPs) and placebo (n=1100 per arm) in 8-month old children. The primary outcome is cognitive development.

The trial aims to identify the functional health benefits of universal iron interventions. The study is set in Rupganj district, north of Dhaka in Bangladesh and opened for recruitment in July 2017.

The study is being conducted in partnership with University of Melbourne and icddr,b, Dhaka, Bangladesh, and is funded by the NHMRC.