BioLinked

Mononuclear Cell Apheresis

Interested in contributing to lifesaving research? Right now, OBI's Research & Development team is seeking participants in a mononuclear cell apheresis study that comes with a $250 reimbursement.

Call 405-212-1176 or email championresearch@obi.org to book your appointment or learn more.

What Is a Mononuclear Cell Apheresis Donation?

This apheresis procedure removes blood from one arm and separates the blood in a machine. The machine transfers white blood cells into a collection bag and returns the remaining blood into your other arm.

Is the Procedure Painful?

After the initial needle stick, the procedure is not uncomfortable. You may get a little cold, but don't worry — we have plenty of blankets.

How Long Does It Take?

The procedure will take around three hours to complete. We're happy to provide you with snacks while you wait, though you will want to limit your fluid intake.

What Is It Used For?

This procedure is performed to collect a white blood cell called a T lymphocyte. This cell is a normal part of your body's immune system. Scientists can reprogram these donated immune cells to attack specific types of cancers. Your cells may be used for cancer research or reprogrammed and given to a cancer patient.

Additional Research Opportunities

New research opportunities are regularly posted to our Research & Innovation page and in the section below. Many offer reimbursement for time and travel, and all of them are dependent on people like you.

  • All of Us

    All of Us is an exciting program from the National Institutes of Health. The mission of the program is simple: to speed up health research. And they’re asking one million or more people to lead the way.

    Learn More

  • Hematopoietic Progenitor Cell Donation | $750
    • Apheresis procedures like plateletpheresis

    • Prior to procedure, donors are given subcutaneous injections of a growth factor that causes immature blood cells to be released from the bone marrow into the circulating blood

    • The cells that are collected are used by researchers and biotech companies to develop immune cell-based cancer therapies

    • Some of the donations are used as the starting material for a immune cell-based drug that is undergoing clinical trials in patients

    Learn More

  • Bone Marrow Donation | $500
    • The amount of blood removed is the same volume as occurs in a normal blood donation

    • These products are used to harvest mesenchymal stromal cells, which are used to promote growth in damaged tissue

    • Donors are admitted to a local surgery center

    • Donors are given conscious sedation anesthesia. The donor is asleep, but not sedated to a level that requires a breathing tube

    • A special needle is inserted into the hip and bone marrow is removed

    Learn More

  • Glaskosmithkline Plasma Donation | Reimbursement rate varies
    • Donors are screened for high levels of a specific blood factor

    • Selected donors are asked to donate plasma

  • Research Samples | Reimbursement Rate Varies
    • Research-specific samples drawn from relevant populations

    • Requirements vary

BioLinked

BioLinked participants

Founded by Our Blood Institute in 2015, BioLinked presents an easy way for our incredible donors to save lives and contribute to medical breakthroughs through clinical research uniquely tailored to them.

Learn About BioLinked

Bio-Sharing Network

Bio-Sharing Network logo

A partnership between community-based blood centers who are committed to providing safe blood products while also supporting new cell therapy creation.

More About Bio-Sharing