What Is New Blood Group System MAL, Discovered by UK Scientists?

UK scientists have discovered the MAL blood group system, linked to the AnWj phenotype. This breakthrough improves transfusion safety, enables genetic testing for rare blood types, and enhances patient care.

New Blood Group System MAL, Discovered by UK Scientists l Representative Image (Photo Credits: Pixabay)

Mumbai, September 18: UK scientists have discovered a new blood group system called MAL. Researchers from NHS Blood and Transplant, the International Blood Group Reference Laboratory, and the University of Bristol say this discovery will help identify and treat rare patients who lack the MAL blood group.

Some individuals can lack the MAL blood group due to illness, but the rare inherited AnWj-negative phenotype has only been found in a few people. This discovery will help identify more in the future. While ABO and Rh are the most well-known blood group systems, matching across other groups can be lifesaving. AnWj-negative individuals risk transfusion reactions if given AnWj-positive blood, and this research enables the development of genotyping tests to detect such rare cases and reduce complications. AI Lowers Death Risk: Researchers Develop ‘CHARTWatch’ Artificial Intelligence System To Identify High-Risk Patients, Reduce Risk of Unexpected Deaths.

 The research team discovered that the AnWj blood group is linked to the MAL protein. Over 99.9% of people are AnWj-positive, with Mal protein present in their red blood cells. AnWj-negative individuals lack this protein due to a deletion in the MAL gene. Chronic Pain Syndrome: Excess Belly Fat Can Increase Musculoskeletal Pain, Affects Women More Than Men; Research.
The discovery of the MAL protein in the AnWj blood group system brings significant benefits by improving transfusion safety, allowing for the development of genetic tests to identify rare blood types, and enhancing patient care by ensuring better blood matching. Additionally, it advances research in transfusion medicine by providing new insights into the role of proteins in red blood cells while solving a long-standing mystery that has puzzled scientists for over 50 years. This breakthrough paves the way for safer, more accurate treatments for patients with rare blood types.
The MAL blood group system enhances transfusion safety by identifying rare blood types that traditional systems like ABO and Rh might miss. It allows for more precise matching and reduces transfusion risks for patients with uncommon blood types.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 18, 2024 11:03 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).

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