Abstract The purpose of the Yale Cooperative Center of Excellence in Hematology (YCCEH) is to facilitate and enhance research by investigators engaged in nonmalignant hematology-related research. Our unique focus is the application of emerging technologies to the study of normal and perturbed hematopoiesis. This includes understanding stem cell biology, hematopoiesis, including the processes of self renewal, expansion and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells, through intermediate progenitor and precursor stages, to mature differentiated and functional blood cells of different lineages. Members of our Research Base are actively engaged in a wide range of topics in the field of hematology, from the stem cell to the bone marrow microenvironment, from understanding mechanisms of hematologic disease to development of novel therapeutic strategies for inherited and acquired disorders, from transfusion of red blood cells and platelets to study of related complications. In parallel, specific technologies utilized across the YCCEH reflect this diversity, with techniques from many fields utilized including cell signaling, genomics, proteomics, RNA biology, molecular biology, advanced imaging and microscopy, to better understand hematologic processes. The resources and environment of the Yale University School of Medicine have been and continue to be particularly well suited to the Center because of the interests and expertise of many of its faculty in the areas of hematology, stem cell biology, genomic analyses and bioinformatics. The availability of a large range of existing core facilities at Yale that directly interface with the YCCEH’s cores, such as the Yale Stem Cell Center, the Yale Center for Genome Analysis, the Yale Center for Clinical Investigation, the Yale Center for Medical Informatics, the Yale Center for High-Performance Computation in Biomedicine, the Yale Systems Biology Institute and the newly established DeLuca Center for Research in Hematology further synergize hematology research across the university. Together, these resources support numerous critical core facilities relevant to hematology investigators. The YCCEH will continue to serve our Research Base (both at Yale and external) by providing training and expertise through the Emerging Technology Research Cores, while providing enhanced opportunities for education and interactions through the Enrichment Core. The Emerging Technology Research Cores will not only enhance research by providing access to cutting edge technologies, but also improve cost-effectiveness of supported research. The long term goal of the YCCEH is to play a key role in the integrated program of hematologic diseases-related research support provided by other NIDDK Cooperative Centers of Excellence in Hematology by providing opportunities to promote increased collaboration within our Research Base and with investigators at other institutions, supporting a broad and deep hematologic diseases research base.

Project Narrative The purpose of the Yale Cooperative Center of Excellence in Hematology (YCCEH) is to facilitate and enhance research in blood diseases by facilitating synergy between many different scientists both within Yale and at multiple academic institutions across the country. The Center will help these scientists by providing access to and training in state-of-the-art technologies. Our unique focus is the application of emerging technologies to better understand blood diseases. The center will play a key role in the integrated program of blood disease research supported by other Cooperative Centers of Excellence in Hematology by providing opportunities to increase interactions and collaborations.