Blood Cell Research
The department of Blood Cell Research harbors the Phagocyte Laboratory and the Laboratory for Blood Transfusion Technology.
Phagocyte Laboratory
In the Phagocyte Laboratory, three major blood cell types are investigated: erythrocytes, platelets and neutrophilic granulocytes. The first two cell types are regular transfusion products used for patients. The latter might become one. The three blood cell types play an essential role in, respectively, oxygen transport, blood clotting and in innate immunity, the inborn immune system against invading micro-organisms.
The aim of our research is to understand important metabolic processes in these cells. In this way we can better maintain the quality of these cells after donation and develop new diagnostic tools in order to identify aberrations in patients.
In our research we use a variety of biochemical, immunological and microscopic techniques. In addition, nucleic acid research and flow cytometry are used in the ongoing projects.
Research lines |
| Phagocytes |
| Erythrocytes |
| Platelets |
Laboratory for Blood Transfusion Technology
The laboratory for Blood Transfusion Technology performs research on both product and process development of blood transfusion technology. Research takes place at Sanquin Research as well at Sanquin Blood Bank.
Research lines |
| Improving materials and methods for storage of blood components |
| Bacterial safety of blood products |
| Pathogen reduction of cellular blood products |
Student projects
Projects for an internship for students in biomedical sciences (University or HLO) are generally available and ideas for projects are welcome to be discussed. For more information and an overview of the current internships visit the student projects page.