Cord blood processing: Volume reduction

With the increased recognition that cord blood is a viable source of stem cells that can be used successfully for the treatment of blood and genetic disorders, cord blood banks are faced with the challenge of developing large inventories of diverse human leukocyte antigen (HLA) phenotypes. Efficient umbilical cord blood banking requires adequate systems to reduce the volume of the cord blood unit for storage without nucleated cell or progenitor cell loss, without contamination, and with minimal risks of processing errors. Increasing regulation within cord blood banking leads to safer products, while at the same time requires standardized, reliable processes. This paper examines hydroxyethyl starch, the bottom and top, and the automated cell processing methods currently in use worldwide, and future developments bringing increased automation to the volume reduction of cord blood donations.