BGC Array Genotyping Test Symposium 2024

In September 2024, the BGC welcomed over 100 people to Trinity College Cambridge for a symposium focused on the new array genotyping test. The participants included specialists involved in the transfusion care of people with Sickle Cell Disorder and Thalassaemia (SCD/THAL) and people who had made contributions to the validation of the new test.

The aim of the symposium was to inform those assembled about the challenges encountered in the transfusion care of SCD/THAL patients, and the benefits the new array genotyping test for blood groups and HLA types may bring.

Presentations on a range of topics involving the array genotyping test and innovations in blood transfusion were delivered through the day. The programme included the following talks:

- Introduction to blood groups, Connie Westhoff, New York Blood Centre (Download slides here)

- New DNA test for blood groups and HLA, Nicholas Gleadall, NHSBT & University of Cambridge (Download slides here)

- Haemolytic transfusion reactions, Joe Sharif, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

- Transfusion of Sickle cell patients with complex blood group antibodies, Sanne Lugthart, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (Download slides here)

- Red cell exchange, Bridget Audsley & Teresa Baines, Therapeutic Apheresis Service, NHSBT (Download slides here)

- Haem-Match, the future of blood matching Dr Sara Trompeter, Consultant Haematologist UCLH and NHSBT (Download slides here)

- Blood Group Genotyping - Samples, Progress and Challenges, Bernadette Hylton, University College London Hospitals & Emma Prescott, Whittington Health NHS Trust, London (Download slides here)

- The new test, a patient view and Q&A, Hazel Attua, Colin Brown, Vickie Chalker, Nick Gleadall, Jayson Kupoluyi, Sara Trompeter

The BGC would like to thank all participants for joining us for a great day. In particular, we would like to thank the symposium organising committee, including Dr Kofi Anie MBE, London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust; Dr Nicholas Gleadall, NHSBT and University of Cambridge; Professor Dave Roberts, NHSBT and University of Oxford; Professor Willem H Ouwehand, NHSBT and University of Cambridge & Cambridge University Hospitals/University College London Hospitals; Dr Sara Trompeter, NHSBT and University College London & University College London Hospitals; Mrs Lindsay Walker, NHSBT and University of Cambridge.