Using red blood cell genomics in transfusion medicine

Blood types (blood group antigens) are heritable polymorphic antigenic molecules on the surface of blood cells. These were amongst the first human Mendelian traits identified, and the genetic basis of nearly all of the hundreds of blood types is known. Clinical laboratory methods have proven useful to identify selected blood group gene variants, and use of genetic blood type information is becoming widespread. However, the breadth and complexity of clinically relevant blood group genetic variation poses challenges. With recent advances in next-generation sequencing technologies, a more comprehensive DNA sequence-based genetic blood typing approach is now feasible. This chapter introduces the practitioner to high-resolution genetic blood typing beginning with an overview of the genetics of blood group antigens, the clinical problem of allosensitization, current blood type testing methods, and then discussion of next-generation sequencing and its application to the problem of genetic blood typing.