Mice are small, easy to handle and available as consistently bred individuals with little genetic variation – this makes them ideal for research. Furthermore, they share between 70 per cent and 90 per cent genetic make up, undergo many of the same life events that humans do, possess a similar anatomy (OK – mouse-shaped) and show similar physiology to us. A mouse offers a whole living organism in which to investigate disease, response to treatment, development of cancer and other basic research.

Opportunities for knowledge exchange lead to powerful meetings, new discoveries and well-deserved awards.

Ten days of discovery Science Odyssey is a 10-day collaborative event geared to engage and inspire Canadians of all ages with science, technology and engineering and mathematics. It brings together a series of fun activities across the country from Friday, May 6 to Sunday, May 15, 2016. In celebration of 10 days of science, discover 10 interesting facts about blood and blood stem cells. Also get inspired by a few words of wisdom from Dr. Sandra Ramirez, a development scientist at Canadian Blood Services’ Centre for Innovation. #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 #10 Dr. Sandra Ramirez wanted to know

May is National Hemochromatosis Awareness Month. It gives people the opportunity to learn more about this condition and recognize the symptoms as it’s usually misdiagnosed as something else.

When a person is in dire need of blood, a blood transfusion seems like a simple solution. A donor donates blood, and eventually a patient in need receives it. Yet, in reality this life-saving medical procedure, as safe as it may be, is not that simple.

Researchers show that some methods used in the manufacturing of red blood cell units may be less damaging to the cells, which could reduce adverse reactions in transfusion recipients. This work may impact the future of how blood is collected in North America and around the world.

"Implementing Choosing Wisely recommendations for transfusion medicine" is the 11th Annual Transfusion Medicine Education Videoconference taking place April 13, 2016. Registration is open!

Images from the Lazarus Research Group lab show some fascinating and potentially life-saving science in action.

Located in Vancouver, BC, near the University of British Columbia campus, our blood for research facility comprises a whole blood and apheresis donor clinic as well as a research and production laboratory.

" The ever-present need for innovative ways to combat dengue and other emerging viruses and pathogens has never been clearer."