Research Unit of Transfusion Medicine and Immunogenetics
The Australian Red Cross Blood Service (ARCBS) is affiliated through its Research Unit of Transfusion Medicine and Immunogenetics, with the Central Clinical School of the University of Sydney.
The main focus of the ARCBS Research Unit is to improve the outcome of organ transplantation, to determine and compare the compositions and therapeutic components of transfused blood products and to gain a better understanding of viral immunology as it relates to the safety of the blood supply.
Boasting a team of dedicated scientists with diverse skills in immunogenetics, molecular biology, proteomics, transplantation immunology and viral immunobiology, the ARCBS Research Unit is well placed to tackle fundamental problems in laboratory and clinical medicine.
Current major research activities fall into four areas -
- Molecular Genetics - research directed towards population genetics, anthropology and the identification of new alleles using novel, state-of-the-art technologies
- Proteomics - investigating blood, and blood derived products such as purified immunoglobulins and coagulation factors to study the therapeutic and non-therapeutic content of transfused products. This will provide a means for comparing therapeutics, for resolving modes of clinical action and for assessing product safety
- Cellular Immunology - predicting the outcome of bone marrow transplants and the survival of solid organ grafts using cellular assays
- Viral Immunology - studying viral diseases such as HIV-1, Hepatitis C and Smallpox using a novel application of antibody array technology
The partnership between the ARCBS Research Unit and the University of Sydney will lead to mutually beneficial research outcomes, and this synergy heralds an exciting new era in the study of transfusion medicine and immunogenetics.
Contact details
Professor Andrew Geczy
Director
Email: ageczy@arcbs.redcross.org.au
Associate Professor John Sullivan
Postgraduate Coordinator
Email: jsullivan@arcbs.redross.org.au
Australian Red Cross Blood Services NSW (ARCBS-NSW)
153 Clarence Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia
Phone: +61 2 9229 4466
Fax: +61 2 9229 4413