THE FUTURE OF BLOOD-GROUPS AND OTHER MARKERS IN REFERENCE LABORATORIES

Erythrocyte blood group-reference laboratory activities have to develo p in accordance with new scientific knowledge brought by molecular bio logy. Reference laboratories will have to use immunology as well as mo lecular biology for a long time yet; both approaches are complementary . Recombinant cells expressing specific antigens will thus be used in parallel to red blood cells with selected phenotype combinations. To b e efficient, Reference laboratory activities must be performed togethe r with research and education activities with a view to spreading know ledge within a national network.