Scientists Discover New MAL Blood Group, Solving 50-Year-Old Mystery

The identification of the MAL blood group system clarifies the genetic basis of the rare AnWj antigen, improving transfusion safety for patients worldwide.

Researchers from NHS Blood and Transplant and the University of Bristol identified the MAL blood group system, marking it as the 47th known blood group.
The discovery solves a 50-year-old mystery surrounding the AnWj antigen, first detected in 1972 in a pregnant woman's blood sample.
The MAL blood group system includes the AnWj antigen, and its genetic basis was found to be linked to deletions in the MAL gene.
New genotyping tests can now identify patients and donors with the rare AnWj-negative phenotype, reducing transfusion-related complications.
This breakthrough will benefit tens of thousands of patients globally, ensuring safer blood matches and better care for those with rare blood types.