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Research supports equipment change and process improvements

Modified on:

Aug 21, 2019

Canadian Blood Services recently updated the equipment it uses to produce components (red blood cells, plasma and platelets) from whole blood donations. In May 2019, the mammoth task of implementing the new equipment at manufacturing sites across the country was completed. But how did the organization choose which equipment to implement in the first place? Let’s look back at some early research work that helped the organization gather the evidence it needed to support this change.

2018-2019 Centre for Innovation annual progress report now available

Modified on:

Aug 14, 2019

The Centre for Innovation’s annual progress report details the achievements made over the past year by Canadian Blood Services’ network of scientists, medical experts, research partners, and collaborators.

Highlights from the Canadian transfusion community’s annual conference

Modified on:

Jul 17, 2019

The Canadian Society for Transfusion Medicine’s annual conference took place in Calgary, Alberta in early June. The Centre for Innovation’s Geraldine Walsh was there and shares her highlights.

Stories worth sharing: Effectively communicating “Research that matters!”

Modified on:

Jul 3, 2019

Before launching the Canadian Blood Services’ Lay Science Writing Competition for research trainees, the Centre for Innovation made sure to have the right team in place. Valuable support from Science Borealis and the Centre for Blood Research helped make our inaugural competition a success.

International effort leads to better clinical guidelines for a serious illness affecting fetuses and newborns

Modified on:

Jun 19, 2019

A team of experts gathered by the International Collaboration for Transfusion Medicine Guidelines has developed new clinical guidelines and accompanying patient and physician resources for Fetal and Neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) – a potentially devastating illness in fetuses and newborns.

Trainees shine at the 2019 Norman Bethune Symposium

Modified on:

Jun 10, 2019

The Centre for Blood Research’s symposium was held in Vancouver, British Columbia in April. Featuring talks from world-class researchers, trainees and patients, the Norman Bethune Symposium provided attendees with the perfect blend of information and inspiration.

Creating platelets 2.0: stronger, faster, and with twice the life-saving power

Modified on:

Jun 5, 2019

The ability to genetically modify a cell is a powerful tool. Genetically modified cells have advanced our understanding of how the body works and how diseases develop. They are currently used to treat a range of diseases, from cancers to bleeding disorders. Yet, not all cells are easily modified. Dr. Stefanie Novakowski’s joint 3rd place entry to our Lay Science Writing Competition explains more.

Iron deficiency in pregnancy – a matter of public health

Modified on:

May 27, 2019

Red blood cells are like delivery trucks that deliver oxygen to the vital organs in our body. Iron is the flatbed of the truck which holds the oxygen in place. Our body loses iron when we lose blood, and women are at the highest risk for low iron since blood is lost monthly during childbearing years. Dr. Heather VanderMeulen’s joint 3rd place entry to our Lay Science Writing Competition dissects these issues.

Canadian Blood Services’ scientist recognized for his mentorship of graduate students

Modified on:

May 21, 2019

Dr. Jason Acker was recently awarded the University of Alberta Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) Graduate Student Supervisor Award. We chatted to Dr. Acker to find out what this award means to him.

Writing competition runner up: Phlebotomy to improve surgical outcomes and donor blood economy – a redemption story

Modified on:

May 20, 2019

Lily Park’s entry was awarded 2nd place in our Lay Science Writing Competition. It describes research by a group at The Ottawa Hospital to improve patient outcomes following liver surgery, while reducing blood loss and the need for blood transfusion.

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