Maria del Pilar Aguinaga, Ph.D.
Professor
Obstetrics and Gynecology

(615) 327-6591 or 6284
4th Floor Hubbard Hospital
1005 Dr. D.B. Todd Boulevard
Nashville, TN  37208

maguinaga@mmc.edu

CV or Bio (PDF)

B.S. Degree in Biology, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH). Lima, Peru (1977).
1977 Licentiate Degree in Biology, UPCH, Lima, Peru.
1979 M.Sc. Degree in Biochemistry, UPCH, Lima, Peru.
1984 Ph.D. Degree in Biophysics-Molecular Biology, Kanazawa University Medical School, Kanazawa, Japan.

Transgenic Animal Models of Sickle Cell Disease, Innovative Therapeutic Approaches for Sickle Cell Disease, Gene Therapy, Analysis of Genetic Variation in Sickle Cell Disease, and Hemoglobin Variants Distribution in Worldwide Populations. Our areas of research are:

• The effect of folic acid deficiency in sickle cell transgenic mouse models (Tg58XTg98),
• Development of new therapies for treatment of sickle cell disease,
• Improvement of transgenic animal models for the study of sickle cell disease, and
• Migratory patterns and drift of sickle cell and other hemoglobinopathies mutation around the world.

We are also developing plasmid vectors for γ-globin gene delivery and expression in erythroleukemia cell lines and in the sickle cell transgenic mouse model. In order to improve the sickle cell transgenic mouse model, we have crossed the α- and β-globin gene knock-out alleles into the genetic background of Tg58XTg98. The resulting mice carries 70% Hb SAntilles and shows maximum in vitro sickling. We have established a colony of these mice.

Regarding worldwide distribution if hemoglobinopathies, we have studied the Hurdish-Iraqi refugee population in Tennessee, the African Peruvian, Mestizo and Andean population in Peru. Thalassemia and G-6PD deficiency were found in the Kurdish population. Sickle cell disease, HB SC disease and thalassemia were found in the African Peruvian and Mestizo populations, and only normal hemoglobin types were found in the Andean population of Peru.

Academic Interests/Expertise

Red Blood Cell Disorders, Sickle Cell Anemia, Thalassemias, Pre-implantation and Prenatal Diagnosis of Hemoglobinopathies.

Clinical Interests/Expertise

Diagnosis of Hemoglobinopathies, DNA Analysis. Boarded as Clinical Laboratory Scientist [National Credentialling Agency (NCA)], Medical Technologist Generalist (American Society of Clinical Pathologists), Clinical Laboratory Specialist in Molecular Biology (NCA), and Clinical Laboratory Director (NCA). Licensed as Medical Laboratory Director in the State of Tennessee.

Somprasit C, Aguinaga M, Cisneros PL, Torsky S, Carson SA, Buster JE, Amato P, McAdoo SL, Simpson JL, Bischoff FZ. Paternal gonadal mosaicism detected in a couple with recurrent abortions undergoing PGD: FISH analysis of sperm nuclei proves valuable. Reprod Biomed Online. 2004 Aug;9(2):225-30.

Aguinaga M, Fernandez LJ, Varo J. [Eating disorders] An Sist Sanit Navar. 2000 May-Aug;23(2):279-92. Spanish.

Cervantes A, Guevara-Yanez R, Lopez M, Monroy N, Aguinaga M, Valdez H, Sierra C, Canun S, Guizar J, Navarrete C, Zafra G, Salamanca F, Kofman-Alfaro S. PCR-PRINS-FISH analysis of structurally abnormal sex chromosomes in eight patients with Turner phenotype. Clin Genet. 2001 Nov;60(5):385-92.

Kajitani M, Aguinaga M, Johnson CE, Scott MA, Antakli T. Use of plasma exchange and heparin during cardiopulmonary bypass for a patient with heparin induced thrombocytopenia: a case report. J Card Surg. 2001;16(4):313-8.

Kajitani M, Ozdemir A, Aguinaga M, Jazieh AR, Flick JT, Antakli T. Severe hemorrhagic complication due to acquired factor V inhibitor after single exposure to bovine thrombin product. J Card Surg. 2000 Nov-Dec;15(6):378-82.