Blood transfusion is a medical therapy that can be life-saving. As with any treatment, however, transfusion of blood or blood components must be ordered and administered safely and appropriately.

Blood group antigens can provoke an antibody response in individuals who lack them, and some antibodies can lead to hemolytic transfusion reaction or hemolytic disease of the fetus/newborn (HDFN). Blood banks and clinical laboratories routinely type blood donors and patients for ABO and Rh(D) through serology method, as these are the most critical antigens for safe transfusion. However, standard serological typing cannot be used in certain clinical applications such as recently transfused patients, immunoglobulin-coated red cells, for detecting minor antigens, and the like.

Molecular assays offer a good alternative for problems encountered by serology. The International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) currently recognizes 30 major blood group systems including more than 300 inherited RBC antigens. Blood group genotyping has advantages over traditional serological tests and that’s why the application of molecular typing for blood cell antigens is increasing day by day and are spreading worldwide.

On  17 February 2017, the most comprehensive Blood Group Genotyping Central Lab (BGGCL) and the unique of its kind in the Middle East inaugurated in Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization. In par with European and US Molecular laboratories, the lab thoroughly complies with the world standards of molecular laboratories and all hospital blood banks as well as blood transfusion centers can benefit its facilities by sending their blood samples.

In addition to its therapeutic means, BGGCL is a unique research center for blood transfusion medicine sub-specialists and hematologists.