Internationally recognized for its red cell and platelet studies Mid-Atlantic Research Facility has conducted more than 200 research projects and licensing studies for biomedical companies resulting in over 140 scientific publications since its founding in 1978 and is recognized as a forerunner in basic and applied research concerning red cell and platelet physiology, storage and function.

The Mid-Atlantic Research Facility assists companies with licensing studies for new products. This can include the development of protocols, setting up, conducting, evaluating, and/or preparing final reports for complex blood studies. The research staff has developed techniques which serve as a standard for labeling and measuring viability and survival of platelets and red cells. The department also has served as a training center for these procedures.

The Mid-Atlantic Research Facility is located in the Medical Tower Building of the Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) and Sentara complex, as well as the Blood Isotope Laboratory in the Nuclear Medicine Department of Sentara Norfolk General Hospital (SNGH). The staff also utilizes facilities and equipment in SNGH's Nuclear Medicine Department, as well as their Flow Cytometry laboratory. Access to modern molecular biological techniques are available through a strong collaborative relationship with the Molecular Biology Laboratory at EVMS. Coordination between our laboratory and the American Red Cross, Mid-Atlantic Regional blood Services' apheresis unit, nursing staff, and technical laboratories is well established.

MRF's facilities are in compliance with all requirements of the Food and Drug Administration, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, OSHA, and American Red Cross Biological Safety directives. All studies are reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board of Eastern Virginia Medical School, and the Radiation Safety, Patient Care, and Executive Committees of Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. Current Good Manufacturing Practices are followed in performance of all procedures, and the laboratory continues to meet the standards of all sponsors as determined by on-site inspections.

The staff has access to an excellent donor pool (medical students, hospital and blood bank personnel), which facilitates recruitment of a well-informed, knowledgeable volunteer population. Well-established coordination with regulatory approving agencies allows timely start-up of projects. In most cases, research studies can be underway within thirty (30) days.

Medical Towers Building
400 Gresham Drive, Suite 100
Norfolk, VA 23507
Phone: 757-446-7720
Fax: 757-533-5725
Email: whitleyp@usa.redcross.org

Pamela H. Whitley, M.S, MT(ASCP)SBB, Research Manager
Sherrie Sawyer, M.S, Senior Research Specialist
Mike Wellington, M.S, Research Associate
Valerie Vann, Administrative Assistant
Eldora Snowden, Research Collection Technician

The staff has over fifty (50) years of cumulative research experience. They are well trained in the use of in vitro and in vivo techniques, and have extensive experience in radioisotope labeling procedures. They perform evaluations of procedures and products concerning collection, processing, and storage of platelets and red blood cells as required by the FDA for licensing new products. Consultations of the development of clinical trial are also available.

Join the list of our satisfied customers:

"I was very impressed with our last study and will come back to your laboratory when I have other
studies to do!"
-Michael McAteer, Ph.D. Therapy Scientist. Gambro BCT, Inc.


"It is a pleasure working with such experienced individuals. The excitement and energy in which your team tackles a project, assures me that the results will be top notch and the turn around time will be exceptional."
-Stein Holme, Ph.D. Pall Corporation