Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common inherited disorder among individuals of African ancestry with an estimated 100 000 affected people in the United States. It is caused by an A to T point mutation in the beta globin gene that produces hemoglobin S, which polymerizes in the deoxygenated state, resulting in physical deformation or sickling of erythrocytes. Sickle erythrocytes promote vaso-occlusion and hemolysis, which are two major hallmarks of the disease. Rapid advances made in understanding the molecular genetics of SCD in the early part of the 20th century have not been matched by progress toward understanding its clinical complications and toward finding therapy. Recent advances in medicine have introduced new technologies to study SCD probing mechanisms underlying its complex pathogenesis. Research efforts have led to the development of animal models, successful therapies, and genomic approaches to characterize clinical subphenotypes toward improving patient care.

We invite authors to contribute original research and review articles reporting recent advances in SCD to stimulate further research and understanding of this monogenic disorder. Topics of special interest include mechanisms of gamma globin gene regulation, genetic modifiers of clinical phenotypes, mechanisms of hemolysis and new treatment strategies. We are particularly interested in articles describing genetic markers that define risk of developing clinical complications, metabolic markers for prediction of vaso-occlusion, new insights into the physiology of pain, and novel drug targets and therapies. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Recent developments in sickle cell disease research
• Genetic modifiers of major clinical complications
• Genetics of gamma globin gene regulation
• Serum markers of vaso-occlusion
• Endothelium dysfunction in the development of vaso-occlusive episodes
• Mechanisms of pain in sickle cell disease and possible new therapeutic approaches
• Role of hemolysis in endothelial dysfunction and vascular complications
• Novel therapeutic agents in sickle cell disease
• Latest technologies for clinical evaluation and measuring outcomes
• Approach for diagnosis and treatment of silent stroke in sickle cell disease
• Stem cell transplantation for sickle cell disease: advances and challenges
• Gene therapy for sickle cell disease: where we are?