Philip C. Spinella, MD

Research Interests

Dr. Spinella’s research program focuses on examining the biologic consequences of blood product manufacturing by both exploring mechanisms in the lab and performing clinical trials to determine clinical relevance. The laboratory has developed a unique microfluidic assay of hemostasis that simulates bleeding. This assay is primary used to characterize the coagulopathy associated with multiple etiologies and the hemostatic response of different blood products according to the etiology or mechanisms of coagulopathy. The laboratory is also currently focused on mechanisms associated with the platelet storage lesion and how platelet storage temperature affects it. Dr. Spinella is also leading an international randomized controlled trial to examine the efficacy and safety of cold stored platelets compared to room temperature platelets for complex cardiac surgery patients with active bleeding. He is a co-founder of Kalocyte, which is developing a freeze dried artificial red cell and working with other industries to examine the efficacy and safety of dried plasma, improved RBC storage solutions, and nanoparticle based hemostatic agents that facilitate platelet adhesion and aggregation. Dr. Spinella has also established transfusion and hemostasis focused research networks to include the Pediatric Critical Care Blood Research Network and the Trauma Hemostasis and Oxygenation Research (THOR) Network.