Current methods of screening and identification of clinically important antibodies to red blood cells (RBC) depend on the use of intact RBC reagents in a variety of techniques such as tube, microplate and gel systems, some of which can be automated for screening large numbers of samples. Disadvantages of the current approach include human source materials, limited shelf-life, storage restrictions (4C), product variability (reagent donor replacement), complexity of interpretation (panels of RBC), and the high costs of procurement and replacement of reagent donors. Conventional serology is also difficult to combine with emerging microarray platforms. Therefore, alternatives to intact RBC that are compatible with microarray or microbead technologies would be advantageous. This session will review the emerging (micro) technologies and platforms that are in development for antigen/antibody screening the potential use of recombinant red cell proteins bearing specific blood group antigens as alternatives to RBC, and the potential use of synthetic peptide "mimotopes," which mimic the natural antigenic epitope(s) recognized by blood group antibodies.


Quiz not available