The future of blood groups and other markers in reference laboratories

Summary Erythrocyte blood group-reference laboratory activities have to develop in accordance with new scientific knowledge brought by molecular biology. Reference laboratories will have to use immunology as well as molecular biology for a long time yet; both approaches are complementary. Recombinant cells expressing specific antigens will thus be used in parallel to red blood cells with selected phenotype combinations. To be efficient, Reference laboratory activities must be performed together with research and education activities with a view to spreading knowledge within a national network.