Konstantine Halkidis, MD PhD
I am interested in the molecular interactions that underpin human biology and the pathogenesis of disease. I study the pathophysiology of immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), a thrombotic microangiopathy caused by deficiency of the von Willebrand cleaving protease A Disintegrin and Metalloprotease with Thrombospondin-like Motif 13 (ADAMTS13). TTP is a potentially fatal and devastating disease, and patients tend to have relapses. Patients with TTP, even those who have not had recurrent disease, are more prone than matched control groups to life-threatening vascular events like strokes and heart attacks. Immune TTP is caused by antibodies that target ADAMTS13, though the exact manner by which these antibodies cause TTP is not yet known. My work focuses on understanding the way such antibodies work so that we can develop better diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for immune TTP. My research mentor, Dr. X. Long Zheng, is the Russell J. Eiliers Endowed Chair of the Department of Pathology andamp; Laboratory Medicine here at KUMC, and he is a world expert on TTP.