SRKRC is going to conduct a BRNS (Board of Research in Nuclear Science), BARC (Bhabha Atomic Research Centre) funded research project entitled ‘Studies on the investigation of effect of gamma radiation on blood group antigens and cytokines released by platelets during storage and its application to immunocompromised patients’.

Gamma irradiation of cellular components of blood is essential to prevent transfusion associated graft versus host disease (GVHD). There are 30 well defined blood group systems and more than 300 blood group antigens on red cell membrane. It is possible that antigenic strength is reduced by irradiation and this may result in beneficial effect of prevention of alloimmunization after irradiation. Therefore we propose to undertake the study on effect of gamma radiation on potency of few important antigens such as A, B, H, D, Fya, Fyb, M and N.