Image credit – https://www.anthonynolan.org/sites/default/files/Hydrangeas.jpg
The Anthony Nolan Cell Therapy Centre stores and processes “cord blood” for national and international clinical transplantation centres.
Cord blood is the blood that remains in the placenta and umbilical cord following the birth of a baby. It is rich in blood stem cells, similar to those found in bone marrow which can be used to treat many different cancers, immune deficiencies and genetic disorders.
The centre was opened in 2008 and is located on the Clifton campus at Nottingham Trent University. This facility was the first of its kind to integrate the storage and processing of cord blood with a research institute that develops new techniques to use it. The cell therapy centre extensively tests the cord blood it receives to check its suitability for transplantation.
The centre also carries out world-class research using blood of non-clinical standard and supplies cord blood to other approved research programmes throughout Europe. Scientists and academics can use their blood to improve cord blood banking strategies and develop new lifesaving therapies.
An OX-AN oxygen depletion monitoring system is installed in the Cryo Store which provides temperature-controlled conditions essential in medical and biotech research.