What is CD34?
CD34 is the name of a protein on the surface of most stem cells. By measuring the CD34 expression combined with viability testing in the laboratory we can determine exactly the number of viable stem cells in a sample.
The number of viable CD34 cells in a cord blood sample is a critical determinant of whether the sample can be used for any given treatment. We are very stringent in our cell counting so that accurate results relating to any sample would be available to clinical teams should the sample be proposed for treatment.
Smart Cells feel that it is appropriate to advise customers of the exact number of viable CD34 cells in their sample and if the count falls below a certain level, we will advise you. However, we believe that the decision to continue storage or not, must ultimately rest with the customer.