![]() Blood transfusions are today one of the commonest medical interventions and it is estimated that annually over 10 million units of blood are transfused in India. Apart from the ABO blood group systems there are a number of blood group systems now known encompassing a number of blood group antigens now known. While serology and genotyping can today identify a number of additional common antigens, it is impossible with the current state of the art technologies to identify all antigens. What is a Rare Blood Group A rare blood group is defined as with a prevalence of less than 1 in 1000 individuals. The rare blood groups become important especially for people requiring chronic transfusions. | CSIR Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology have been one of the pioneers in genomics research and implementation in the area of rare diseases in the country through the Genomics for Understanding Rare Diseases India Alliance Network (GUaRDIAN). GUaRDIAN today is a nationwide network of over 280 clinical collaborators from over 70 centres across the country, making it one of the largest networks in the area of rare disease research in the country. GUaRDIAN Rare Blood Group Genomics Initiative The GUaRDIAN Rare Blood Group Genomics Initiative aims to create a collaborative network of clinicians involved in Transfusion Medicine to understand the genetic makeup of rare blood groups in India and also develop the knowledge base, resources and tools to enable genomic applications for characterization of Rare Blood groups in the country. BGVar is a comprehensive compilation of all known antigens of well recognized blood group systems. There are about 39 well recognized human blood group systems accounting to nearly 300 antigens. more>![]() | Collaborating with us We invite clinicians involved in Transfusion Medicine who would be interested to be part of the initiative from across the country. Dr Vinod Scaria vinods@igib.in Dr Sridhar Sivasubbu sridhar@igib.in |