Transfusion Medicine Science

This area covers some of the basic background knowledge that underpins the ability to safely transfuse blood components and products.

Transfusion medicine is a relatively new discipline. Human ABO blood groups were discovered in 1901 by Landsteiner and the introduction of the antiglobulin test by Coombs in 1945 opened up a whole new world of blood groups and antibody testing. The knowledge from these two discoveries still provides the basis for much of transfusion science today.

This section provides information on:

• Blood Groups
• Samples and Storage
• Compatibility
• HLA Basics