Sickle cell disease is a serious blood disorder for which there is no effective treatment. It affects a quarter of a million people per year, mainly in Africa, USA and the Caribbean but it is also very common in Northern Europe with over 10,000 people in the UK suffering from this terrible disease.

Red blood cells of patients periodically block small blood vessels and this causes sickle cell crisis. Complications from sickle cell crisis include excruciating pain in the chest and back, joint and bone pain, susceptibility to infections, anaemia, fatigue, ulcers and stroke. Repeated crises can cause damage to the kidneys, lungs, bones, eyes and the central nervous system. This project addresses how maintenance of red blood cell hydration should stop many of the symptoms of sickle cell disease and improve the quality of life of sufferers.