The aim of the Platelet and Granulocyte Immunobiology Working Party (PGIWP) is to enable collaborations in platelet and granulocyte immunobiology by bringing together members working in a diagnostic research and/or clinical laboratory setting. The working party supports ISBT goals and strategic objectives. Platelet and Granulocyte Immunobiology refers to studies of the pathogenic immune mechanisms responsible for disorders related to alloantibodies, isoantibodies or autoantibodies against platelets and granulocytes, as well the disorders caused by antibodies against platelets include fetal/neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT), drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia (DITP), platelet-transfusion refractoriness (PTR) and immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). The disorders caused by antibodies against granulocytes include neonatal alloimmune neutropenia (NAIN), autoimmune neutropenia (AIN) and transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI).
Current Leadership
Maria Therese Ahlen
Maria Therese Ahlen, PhD, is a Researcher at the Norwegian National Unit for Platelet Immunology, Department of Laboratory Medicine at the University Hospital North Norway in Tromsø, Norway, and an Associate Professor in the Immunology Research Group at Department of Medical Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway.
Maria's research interest is in platelet immunology and particularly alloimmune responses. The primary focus has been Fetal/Neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia, with studies on maternal antigen-specific T cells, antigen presentation and prevention of immunization in preclinical models. Ahlen is also engaged in the clinical lab investigations of other immune-mediated platelet disorders leading to thrombocytopenia and/or thrombosis, as well as research on these conditions.
