Blood sciences

What happens to your blood sample in a laboratory?

IBMS Member Malcolm Robinson founded Harvey's Gang, an initiative that shows young patients around the laboratory following their blood samples. Watch now:

Blood sciences

In blood science, biomedical scientists collect blood samples to diagnose disease or ensure that a donor's blood is matched with the patient receiving it. There are four disciplines in blood science:  

Clinical Chemistry

Clinical chemistry is the analysis of blood and other biological fluids to help the diagnosis of diseases, such as diabetes. Clinical chemists also carry out toxicological studies, text kidney and liver functions and help to monitor therapies.

Haematology 

Haematology is the study of blood. In this discipline, haematologists investigate the formation, composition, function and diseases of blood. Some of the diseases diagnosed in haematology are leukaemia, malaria and anaemia.

Immunology

Immunology deals with the conditions of the body’s immune system and its role in infectious diseases, parasitic infestations, allergies, tumour growth, tissue grafts and organ transplants. It is particularly important in the monitoring and treatment of AIDS, autoimmune conditions and allergies.

Transfusion

Transfusion science identifies blood groups for blood donation, ensures the correct grouped blood is matched to the patient due to receive the donation and makes sure blood stocks are adequate for critical incidents such as road traffic accidents, operations and cancer treatments.