KONKLE LABORATORY

Barbara A. Konkle, M.D.

“It’s exciting to take our research findings and translate them into clinical care.” Barbara A. Konkle, M.D.

The Konkle laboratory is focused on improving health by better diagnosis and treatment of bleeding and clotting disorders. Dr. Konkle’s recent research relates to improved testing for von Willebrand disease (VWD) and hemophilia, blood-clotting in pregnancy and other disorders, and cardiovascular disease in men with hemophilia.

Areas of Study

  • von Willebrand disease and Hemophilia
  • Sickle Cell Disease
  • Thrombosis (unwanted blood clotting) in pregnancy
  • Cardiovascular disease in hemophilia

Dr Konkle’s Background

Konkle Laboratory

The Konkle laboratory conducts clinical and translational research studies in hemostasis and thrombosis.

Areas of Study

von Willebrand Factor (VWF) and von Willebrand Disease (VWD)
Dr. Konkle’s research in this area relates to improved testing for VWD and changes of VWF and factor VIII (FVIII) in pregnancy in normal women and women with VWD. Her studies of VWF in pregnancy include collaborations with Dr. Jill Johnsen at Bloodworks Northwest and Dr. Hilary Gammill at the University of Washington. In collaboration with Drs. José López and Jing-fei Dong, they are evaluating VWF genetic variations, bleeding symptoms and laboratory measures of function in patients with and without VWD.

Genomics in Hemophilia
Dr. Konkle leads a nationwide project to determine the causitive genetic variant in hemophilia A and B and to establish a Research Repository linked to the ATHN clinical database for future research. A portion of repository specimens are undergoing whole genome sequencing through the NHLBI Transomics in Precision Medicine (TOPMed) program. The project is governed by a collaboration of Bloodworks, ATHN, the National Hemophilia Foundation and Biogen.

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in Sickle Cell Disease and Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia Purpura (TTP)
In collaboration with and building on findings by Dr. lopez, we are leading clinical studies of NAC in patients with Sickle Cell Disease, including during painful crises. Data suggest that NAC treatment can decrease adhesive VWF and modulate red blood cell adhesion. We are also studying NAC in TTP.

Cardiovascular Disease in Men with Hemophilia
With improved treatments, the life expectancy of men with hemophilia is approaching that of the general population. The downside of that great advance is the occurrence of heart attacks as these men age, despite their low clotting factor. With funding from the CDC, Dr. Konkle and colleagues across the U.S. are further evaluating cardiovascular disease in hemophilia.

Clinical Trials of Treatments for Hemophilia and Other Disorders
Dr. Konkle has a longstanding interest in the evaluation of new treatments for bleeding and clotting disorders and has participated in multiple NIH, CDC and industry-sponsored trials of new therapies including gene therapy. At Bloodworks Northwest, in collaboration with Dr. Rebecca Kruse-Jarres, they are evaluating new treatments for hemophilia and von Willebrand disease. We have evaluated costs and quality of life issues in hemophilia through the Hemophilia Utilization Group Study and coagulation factor utilization and other data analyses through the American Thrombosis and Hemostasis Network.

Representative Publications

Click here to view.

Konkle Team Members

  Sarah Ruuska, M.P.H.
Clinical Research Program Manager
Email: [email protected]
Phone, Central: (206) 689-6193
FAX: (866) 286-1053
  Shelley Fletcher
Genomics Testing Specialist
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (206) 568-2207
FAX: (866)560-0806
  Sarah Galdzicka
Clinical Research Coordinator
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (206) 689-6196
FAX: (866) 845-9812
Maggie Moore, R.N.
Clinical Research Nurse
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (206) 689-6195
FAX: (206) 260-8817
  Ann Whitney
Clinical Research Program Administrator
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone (206) 689-6192
Fax (866) 632-9920
Kathy Beach, RN
Clinical Research Nurse
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (206) 689-6195
Rachel Hervey
Clinical Research Coordinator
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (206) 689-6539
Kristen Holmes, PhD
Research Technologist II
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (206) 568-2233
Shawn Prater
Technologist III
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (206) 689-6594
Fax: (206) 689-8382
Ashley Nguyen
Technologist III
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (206) 689-6594
Fax: (206) 689-8382

Barbara A. Konkle, M.D.
Associate Chief Scientific Officer
Bloodworks Northwest

Director,
Hemostasis, Platelet Immunology, and Genomics
Bloodworks Northwest

Professor of Medicine/Hematology,
University of Washington

Bloodworks Northwest
921 Terry Avenue
Seattle, WA 98104

Email: [email protected]
UW Mailstop 359190
Phone: 206-689-6191

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