Blood Podcast Blood Bonus Episode: What is a Blood group?
Mar 31, 2025
Dr. Nicole Thornton, head of the International Blood Group Reference Laboratory, discusses groundbreaking findings on the AnWj-negative blood group. She reveals how deletions in the MAL gene lead to the absence of Mal protein, solving a long-standing mystery. The conversation dives into the implications for transfusion medicine and the significance of the ANWJ antigen. Additionally, the episode covers genetic factors affecting antibody responses in hematological malignancies, highlighting the importance of blood group research in targeted therapies.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Discovery of ANWJ Genetic Basis
- The genetic basis of the ANWJ blood group antigen was unknown for decades until recent discovery.
- Identifying the MAL gene deletion explains the rare inherited AnWj-negative phenotype and opens doors for further study.
Collaborative Blood Group Discovery
- Discovering the ANWJ antigen involved significant international collaboration and sample sharing.
- Such teamwork is critical to studying rare blood group cases and advancing transfusion medicine.
ANWJ Suppression in Disease
- ANWJ antigen expression can be suppressed transiently in hematological malignancies, causing clinical complications.
- This suppression might reveal important functions of the molecule and potential therapeutic targets.