Component Development
An essential part of the blood supply chain
About Component Development
Component Development is part of NHS Blood and Transplant’s internationally recognised research and development programme.
We specialise in operational and translational research that changes the way blood is processed, stored or tested. Through this, we improve the quality, safety and efficiency of the blood supply chain.
We work with groups within NHS Blood and Transplant, other blood services, as well as academic and commercial partners.
Component Development team structure
Download the Component Development organisation chart (PDF 191KB)
Director of Blood Component Research and Development - Rebecca Cardigan
Rebecca is Director of Blood Component Research & Development and a Consultant Clinical Scientist in Haematology and Professor, Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge. She is responsible for the preclinical and clinical evaluation of current and novel blood components leading to major changes to how blood for transfusion is produced, stored, and monitored in England.
She has led numerous research projects that have subsequently been translated into routine practice in the NHS and has made significant contributions to setting national guidelines/policy as Chair of the UK Standing Advisory Committee on Blood Components for seven years and Deputy Director for the UK Joint Professional Advisory Committee for 6 years.
She is a Consultant Civilian Advisor to the UK Ministry of Defence. She has published over 100 papers on haemostasis and transfusion, and she is the elected president of BEST Collaborative (Biomedical Excellence for Safer Transfusion 2023-2026), an international collaborative of blood providers, industry, and academic experts.
Rebecca has been responsible for growing Component Development into the internationally recognised department that it is today.