About IBGRL
International Blood Group Reference Laboratory (IBGRL) comprises several NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) laboratories at Filton in Bristol, England.
Red Cell Reference
The Red Cell Reference department undertakes antibody and antigen investigations of a non-routine and complex nature.
Molecular Diagnostics
The Molecular Diagnostics department offers fetal genotyping to provide molecular typing support for routine maternity and transfusion services.
Protein Development and Production Unit
The Protein Development and Production Unit produces a range of monoclonal antibodies under the name IBGRL Research Products.
The IBGRL was established in 1946 to provide Reference Services related to blood transfusion. In 1952, the IBGRL was designated a collaborating centre for the World Health Organisation.
One of IBGRL’s functions is to maintain a database of donors with rare blood types. Authorized laboratories can interrogate the International Rare Donor Panel directly via this web site.
The IBGRL has a distinguished record of research in blood transfusion science. Some of this research has led to the generation of a range of monoclonal antibodies which are available to researchers around the world as IBGRL Research Products.
One of the IBGRL’s primary roles is to provide specialist clinical diagnostic services for NHS Blood and Transplant. The quality and cost-effectiveness of these services are maximised by provision from a single Centre with expert staff and a collection of very rare reagents, using sophisticated techniques to resolve difficult problems in relatively small numbers of patients.
The major areas of diagnostic expertise are in red cell reference serology and blood group genotyping, including non-invasive fetal genotyping from maternal blood for fetal RhD, Rhc, RhE, RhC and Kell typing.
NHSBT International Blood Group Reference Laboratory (IBGRL) is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory (number 9765).
In addition to our Reference Services, IBGRL Protein Development and Production Unit (PDPU) also produces and develops monoclonal antibodies and recombinant proteins for sale as research products, and CE marked kits for the estimation of feto-maternal haemorrhage (FMH).