Scientists from several Chinese medical institutions and universities, including Shandong University, will join the a program on the treatment of beta thalassemia, a predominant type of Mediterranean anemia.

The program will be largely concerned with the study of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in the treatment of monogenic diseases, according to the chief scientist of program Dr. Pan Guangjin.

Mediterranean anemia, also called thalassemia, is an inherited blood disorder characterized by less hemoglobin and fewer red blood cells than normal. Several types of thalassemia exist, including alpha (α) thalassemia, beta (β) thalassemia and delta (δ) thalassemia.

In China, the disease is most frequently seen in Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Fujian and Guangdong provinces.