Hasna Fadlilatul Bidayah, S.Si, M.Biotech, a doctoral student in the Biotechnology Doctoral Program at the Graduate School of Gadjah Mada University (SPs UGM), is conducting research on the ABO blood group system at the molecular level. Hasna is part of the SPs UGM research team alongside Prof. Rarastoeti Pratiwi, M.Sc., Ph.D., Dr. dr. Teguh Triyono, M.Kes., Sp.PK(K), and Hestia Heirima, S.Si., M.Biotech.
The molecular identification of blood types in the ABO system is being conducted as an effort to enhance the accuracy of blood transfusions in Indonesia. The research is being carried out from April to November 2024 and is funded by the SPs Research Grant Program for the 2024 Fiscal Year.
“It is very important to know a person’s blood type genotype, especially in cases of uncertainty and weak antigens,” said Dr. dr. Teguh Triyono, M.Kes., Sp.PK(K), Head of the Blood Transfusion Unit (UPTD) at RSUP dr. Sardjito.
One of the technicians at UPTD RSUP dr. Sardjito asked Dr. Teguh about when the molecular testing would be ready. In response, Dr. Teguh stated, “We will be ready when this test is widely needed, just as it was during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The ABO blood group system is the most clinically important among the 43 other blood group systems. The most commonly performed blood type identification is serological identification, but it has limitations for individuals with uncertain blood types. Molecular identification has emerged as an alternative for determining an individual’s blood type. The SPs UGM research team hopes that molecular identification can be developed as a reference for simple molecular tests in blood transfusion service laboratories in Indonesia.
The SPs research team is collaborating with several Blood Donation Units (UDD) for the molecular identification process, including UDD in Medan, Semarang, Surabaya, Yogyakarta, and one UPTD, which is UPTD RSUP dr. Sardjito. This molecular identification activity provides new knowledge to technicians at UPTD and UDD. It also offers an opportunity for many individuals with uncertain blood types to determine their blood type genotype.
Authors: Hasna Fadlilatul Bidayah, Rarastoeti Pratiwi, Teguh Triyono, Asti Rahmaningrum