S variants. Smith's and Torbert's findings were confirmed and built upon by Harvey A. Itano and Elizabeth A. Robinson in 1960. In their paper, Genetic Control of the a- and B-Chains of Hemoglobin, Itano and Robinson explained that both the alpha and beta loci are involved in the regulation of hemoglobin. The recombination of the alpha loci on the gene coding for hemoglobin results in a mutation of the hemoglobin protein. Researchers refer to this mutated protein as a Hopkins-2 variation of hemoglobin. Further research surrounding the Hopkins-2 genetic mutation was conducted by Johns Hopkins doctors, who remained engaged in research in the hematologic field despite a general change in focus away from hematology in the medical community. Prominent Hopkins researcher Samuel Charache was one of many scientists at Hopkins who investigated blood and its components during the late twentieth century. Specifically, Charache is well known for his work with George Dover, another Hopkins researcher; together, they discovered a treatment option for sickle cell anemia. However, Charache was also engaged in hemoglobin Hopkins-2 research. In his Nature article, titled Clinical Studies and Physiological Properties of Hopkins Hemoglobin-2, Charache announced his discoveries surrounding the hemoglobin variant. Charache focused on physical implications of the variant, rather than on genetics themselves. Ultimately, Charache asserts in his paper that the variant is not prominent phenotypically and plays an unnoticeable or no effect on human health. Hemoglobin and hematology at Hopkins Hematologic studies were prominent at Johns Hopkins Hospital prior to the discovery of the hemoglobin Hopkins-2 variant. After observing the cells under a microscope, Sir William Osler connected the concept of dysfunctional platelets to the development of ulcerative endocarditis and thrombosis. Osler's initial observations of platelets catalyzed the study of blood and hematology at Hopkins and in other research environments. Platelets were discovered independently by Max Schultze in 1865 and G. Bizzozero in 1882. Beginning in 1920, doctors at Johns Hopkins Hospital conducted research on sickle cell anemia, or sickle cell disease. Although their conclusions surrounding the disease are outdated, Doctors Taliaferro and Huck discovered a latent form of sickle cell anemia. Their study on sickle cell anemia was the first of many to occur at Hopkins. In 1940, Irving Sherman, a medical student at Johns Hopkins, correctly identified the deoxygenation of hemoglobin in sickle cell patients after he noted refraction patterns characteristic of deoxygenation when light was passed through the protein. The deoxygenation