Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Uncovers Key Protein in Iron Metabolism; Discovery Could Lead to New Therapeutics for Certain Blood Diseases

MIT scientists have uncovered a protein that plays a key role in the recycling of iron from blood. Their work, described in the October 11 Journal of Clinical Investigation, could lead to new therapies for certain inherited blood disorders such as beta-thalassemia, a condition that causes chronic anemia. The team is led by Jane-Jane Chen, a principal research scientist in the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology (HST).