French scientists recently made an exciting discovery by identifying a new blood type in a woman from the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, as announced by France's blood supply agency. This unique blood type has been named 'Gwada negative' and marks the 48th blood group system recognized globally. The discovery was made possible through advanced DNA sequencing techniques, showcasing the accelerated pace of new blood group identification in recent years.

15 years ago, researchers received a blood sample from a patient in preparation for surgery, which eventually led to the identification of this novel blood type. The International Society of Blood Transfusion officially acknowledged this discovery in early June, expanding the existing 47 recognized blood group systems.

Thierry Peyrard, a medical biologist at the French Blood Establishment (EFS) involved in the research, highlighted the presence of a rare antibody in the patient back in 2011. Despite initial resource limitations, scientists were able to unlock the mystery in 2019 through high-throughput DNA sequencing, revealing a genetic mutation.

The patient, a 54-year-old woman residing in Paris, was found to be the sole carrier of this unique blood type. Inherited from both her parents, the mutated gene responsible for 'Gwada negative' has made her globally unmatched in blood compatibility.

The name 'Gwada negative' was chosen to honor the patient's heritage and resonates well across different languages, according to Peyrard. This groundbreaking discovery not only highlights the continuous evolution in blood group research but also emphasizes the importance of providing specialized care to individuals with rare blood types.

Looking ahead, Peyrard and his team are eager to identify other individuals with the same blood group, further enhancing medical treatment options for those with unique blood characteristics.