One of humanity’s significant scientific advances is the use of molecular methods of analysis to address a multitude of issues related to substance identification. The applications of such technologies are broad, which includes any form from PCR analysis and determination of antigen expression on blood cells to forensic identification of intruders. The possibilities of molecular analysis techniques are not limited and thus can be expected to proliferate when new applications are needed (ARC, n.d.). As part of this discussion, I have been offered several tutorials that describe the potential applications of molecular methods. For example, one study has identified the prospects of using such technologies for immunohematology-it helps determine the expression of antigens on blood red blood cells (Flegel et al., 2014). Similar to this direction is blood typing, which allows specialists to precisely determine the blood groups of patients (Chauhan, 2014). Clearly, accurate blood group identification is essential for reliable and error-free transfusions.
In this discussion, I propose to talk specifically about blood typing as a perspective that is undeservedly underestimated and has great promise for future research. First of all, by typing, I mean an experimental determination of human blood phenotype on the basis of information about specific proteins. Molecular research, in this case, is realized through mixing a patient’s blood group sample with antibodies against proteins A and B types. If cell adhesion occurs, the interaction between blood cells and antibodies against this protein is said to have occurred (URAC, 2020). To control, blood plasma without blood cells is also mixed with antibodies in order to determine whether the blood group is null or not. Thus, the two steps make it possible to determine an individual’s blood type with high accuracy since all possible fusion scenarios are considered, and each result is unambiguous.
For the patient, this procedure means that they can know their blood type accurately and then use that knowledge when needed, whether it be through donation or transfusion. On the contrary, for the clinic, this procedure is valuable because the accuracy of blood type matching is a critical component of quality patient care. Studies report that every two seconds, someone needs a blood transfusion in the United States (ARC, 2021). This does not seem surprising when one considers a large number of traffic accidents, chronic illnesses, or homicides, as well as all the alternative scenarios where a person urgently needs a blood transfusion. A doctor’s mistake in selecting a blood type can be fatal for the patient because there are biological incompatibilities between blood proteins. In particular, for example, type B blood cannot be transfused to a patient with type O or type A blood because these proteins will not take root in the recipient’s body, and alienation will occur (ARC, 2021). In other words, accurate identification of blood type is critical for all concerned, as ignoring this need can lead to lethal consequences and/or financial and reputational risks.
Obviously, the technology described fits perfectly within the scope of what I have learned in this course. The molecular interaction between proteins and antibodies is specific because each of the blood proteins has a unique expressed antigen. In addition, this method seems to be entirely accurate because it considers all alternatives and is not reduced to a single step. I consider this method of molecular blood testing to be one of the most promising because it seriously improves the health care agenda and reduces the number of medical errors. Blood typing also improves the patient experience because it allows the doctor or nurse to know the patient’s phenotype better and personalize treatment. Among the aspects of treatment affected by blood typing in addition to transfusion and donation are pregnancy, spousal compatibility, and/or paternity determination. In other words, improving the accuracy of blood typing and quality identification directly determines the quality of further clinical care for patients.
References
ARC. (2021). Importance of the blood supply. Red Cross Blood. Web.
ARC. (n.d.). Molecular testing: What can it do for the blood bank [PDF document]. Web.
Chauhan, C. (2014). Researchers develop novel molecular blood group typing technique.Elsevier. Web.
Flegel, W. A., Johnson, S. T., Keller, M. A., Klapper, E. B., Khuu, H. M., Moulds, J. M.,… & Denomme, G. A. (2014). Molecular immunohaematology round table discussions at the AABB Annual Meeting, Boston 2012. Blood Transfusion, 12(2), 280-290.
URAC. (2020). Blood typing. Medline Plus. Web.