Trusted Resources: Evidence & Education
Scientific literature and patient education texts
Genetics of sickle cell disease
source: Sickle Options
year: N/A
summary/abstract:Sickle cell disease is inherited from parents. As sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder, at least one parent must have the sickle cell gene (sickle cell trait or disease). The other parent may have the sickle cell gene or another abnormal hemoglobin gene.
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) determines genetics. Segments of the DNA Helix contain groups of amino acids (codes) which determine characteristics which are inherited from parents such as eye and hair color, height, blood type and disease.
Sickle cell disease is not contagious rather hereditary. The bone marrow produces abnormal hemoglobin called Hemoglobin S (HbS). Instead of being dissolved like salt in water, it becomes like a crystal or polymer. This causes the cells to change shape and look like a crescent or a sickle. The sickle cells can get stuck and block blood vessels. The sickle cells are not flexible and can break apart in the circulation.
read more
Related Content
-
Sickle Cell TestA sickle cell test is a blood test done ...
-
Sickle cell disease and sickle cell carrier statusSickle cell disease is an inherited diso...
-
Researchers Identify Genetic Predictors of Sickle Cell Anemia-Related ComplicationsPatients with sickle cell anemia who do ...
-
How One Child’s Sickle Cell Mutation Helped Protect the World From MalariaThousands of years ago, a special child ...
-
CTX001 Continues to Show Promise in Severe SCDA single dose of CTX001, an experimental...
-
How This Disease Changes the Shape of Your Cells – Amber M. Yateshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRnrIpUM...
-
6th Annual Chicago Sickle Cell SummitDate & Time Sep 28, 2023 11:00 AM...
To improve your experience on this site, we use cookies. This includes cookies essential for the basic functioning of our website, cookies for analytics purposes, and cookies enabling us to personalize site content. By clicking on 'Accept' or any content on this site, you agree that cookies can be placed. You may adjust your browser's cookie settings to suit your preferences. More Information
The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.