Scientists Solve 50-Year Mystery and Discover New Human Blood Group

Researchers at NHS Blood and Transplant and the University of Bristol found that the MAL gene encodes the Mal protein carrying the AnWj antigen, identified in 1972. MAL became the 47th official blood group system (ISBT 047), giving doctors a genetic way to find rare AnWj-negative donors and patients.

• AnWj antigen is present in over 99.9% of people; absence risks dangerous transfusion reactions
• Inherited AnWj-negativity was traced to homozygous deletions in the MAL gene
• Study included five genetically AnWj-negative people, including a 2015 sample
• MAL registered as ISBT 047, the 47th blood group system