This week, David Feng, Senior Medical Laboratory Technologist, Histocompatibility was ‘infected’ by the LMP Q&A BUG. The nomination came from our previous Q&A BUG ‘victim,’ Maria Amenta. Check out Maria’s photo Q&A, HERE.
As a senior medical laboratory technologist in histocompatibility, David provides accurate testing to determine the compatibility of potential organ donors and recipients.
In humans there is a specific group of proteins called human leukocyte antigens (HLA); the more HLA antigens shared between a recipient and donor, the better the potential outcome of the transplantation.
David provides testing for a wide variety of transplant patients, such as bone marrow, lung, kidney, and heart. He conducts ‘HLA typing,’ which shows how similar organ donor and recipient HLA markers are, and ultimately gives insight in whether a potential transplant will be accepted by the recipient.
On the other side of antigen testing, David will also test a patient’s antibodies, which are produced by the immune system as a response to something foreign in the body, such as bacteria – or in this case an organ transplant. The recipient HLA antibodies can attack donor HLA antigens causing potential injury to the transplanted organ. To ensure successful transplants, David and other technologists in the HLA Lab will monitor patient antibody levels pre and post transfusion.
David says, he’s seen the effects of improved HLA testing benefit the donor system, and is pleased to see more samples coming in because it means there are more registered donors. If you’d like to register to become an organ donor, visit: www.beadonor.ca
To learn a little more on the personal side of David, check out his photo Q&A below. Make sure to read to the end to find out who’s next to be ‘infected’ by the LMP Q&A BUG. It could be you!
Whereabouts do you live and how do you commute to work?
What was your first job?
Favourite meals to make at home?
Favourite TV show?
What do you do for fun?
If you could be famous for anything, what what it be?
What would be your ideal vacation?
What’s your favourite animal? (Draw it!)
If you could bring one item to a deserted island, what would it be?
What’s on your iPod?
Favourite sports team?
If you had to describe LMP in three words, what would they be?
If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
Because David completed the photo series Q&A he was given the opportunity to pass the bug onto someone else… It’s now with great pleasure we announce the next staff member to be ‘infected’ by the LMP Q&A BUG:
Nayana Sondi, Application Specialist, Laboratory Information Systems
Have a common interest with David? – Share it in the comments section!
- That you’ll be dressing up as a storm trooper for Star Wars episode VII
- How the Bee Gee’s Stayin’ Alive is still your Friday night dance song
- That the Toronto Raptors are looking great this season!
- How it’s about time someone picked Dinosaurs as a favorite animal
- That Newfoundland was an unexpected answer, but a great choice!
The Pathology Report 
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