Timothy Olson Laboratory

Led by Timothy S. Olson, MD, PhD, researchers in the Olson laboratory are developing and evaluating methods to improve clinical outcomes for pediatric patients with inherited or acquired bone marrow failure after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Specifically, researchers in the Olson laboratory are searching for strategies to reduce the incidence of graft failure and minimize post transplantation toxicities in pediatric patients with bone marrow failure.

Ongoing studies in the Olson laboratory are underway to improve the durability, efficiency, and reliability of post-transplantation hematopoietic stem cell engraftment. Using transgenic and specialized stem cell mouse models, researchers in the Olson laboratory have begun to cell types and molecules within specialized bone marrow microenvironments (known as hematopoietic stem cell [HSC] niches) that may be manipulated to enhance the efficiency and durability of stem cell grafts after bone marrow transplantation.

Using next generation sequencing and genome-wide array analyses in conjunction with a large database and sample repository for children and adults with inherited bone marrow failure and aplastic anemia, researchers in the Olson laboratory have begun to identify genetic factors and DNA mutations responsible for acquire bone marrow failure. Also, mutations and chromosomal rearrangements have been identified which may cause some patients with bone marrow failure (10-20 percent) to develop myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Clinical studies are also underway in the Olson laboratory to improve and optimize transplantation protocols for pediatric bone marrow transplant patients with non-malignant hematologic disease. The goal of these prospective clinical studies is to standardize bone marrow transplantation regimens for specific patient subtypes (with non malignant hematologic disease) to reduce post bone marrow transplant toxicities, enhance stem cell graft durability and improve patient outcomes.

Future studies in the Olson laboratory will continue to focus on identifying and improving transplantation protocols to enhance the clinical outcomes of pediatric patients with inherited or acquired bone marrow failure after HSCT.