Flexible automated platform for blood group genotyping on DNA microarrays.

The poor suitability of standard hemagglutination-based assay techniques for large-scale automated screening of red blood cell antigens severely limits the ability of blood banks to supply extensively phenotype-matched blood. With better understanding of the molecular basis of blood antigens, it is now possible to predict blood group phenotype by identifying single-nucleotide polymorphisms in genomic DNA. Development of DNA-typing assays for antigen screening in blood donation qualification laboratories promises to enable blood banks to provide optimally matched donations.

Weak D phenotypes and transfusion safety: where do we stand in daily practice?

Background: Weak D Types 1, 2, and 3 recipients cannot be immunized when exposed to D antigen. Molecular biology is very efficient to type weak D variants but rarely implemented in daily practice. The serologic typing practice of weak D in a Caucasian patient population was analyzed and a transfusion strategy is proposed.