About This Project
Asian elephants (E. maximus) prossess blood groups that impact transfusion compartibility, similar to other mammalian species.
Elephants are keystone species, vital to their ecosystems. Yet when facing deadly diseases like EEHV, survival rates are low due to a lack of compatible blood. This project uses serological tests and genetic analysis to establish the first blood group system – a breakthrough that will revolutionize veterinary care, improve conservation, and save lives.
Ask the Scientists
Join The DiscussionWhat is the context of this research?
Asian elephants are an endangered species facing numerous threats, from habitat loss to disease. One of the most devastating threats is EEHV, a deadly virus that primarily affects young elephants and often requires urgent blood transfusions. However, without a known blood group system, transfusions are often a dangerous gamble, potentially leading to fatal reactions.
Currently, when an elephant needs a transfusion, veterinarians have no safe way to predict which donor will be compatible. This research will fill that gap by identifying elephant blood groups and developing standardized compatibility testing.
Our work builds on crossmatching experiments already completed in Thailand (January-March 2025), where we analyzed blood from 46 elephants. With this foundation of crossmatching data, we now aim to conduct advanced genetic analyses to develop the first comprehensive blood group system for Asian elephants, addressing a critical gap in veterinary medicine.
What is the significance of this project?
Without a blood group system, veterinarians must make critical decisions with little scientific guidance. With fewer than 50,000 Asian elephants left, each individual’s survival is vital for this endangered species.
This project will develop an elephant blood group system to enable safe transfusions, establish compatibility testing to improve emergency outcomes, create a database for blood banking, and support conservation efforts in the long-term. By pioneering this research, we lay the groundwork for better veterinary care and conservation strategies.
Since April 2025, we've conducted tests with European zoo elephants, focusing on plasma- and serum-based reactions from pilot studies. We use specialized reagents, including Low Ionic Strength Solution and enzymatic treatments (papain and bromelain), to increase sensitivity. We're also developing methods to distinguish true immunological incompatibilities from non-specific agglutination—critical for reliable transfusion protocols.
What are the goals of the project?
We aim to continue our research with three essential components: expanding blood compatibility testing to European zoo elephants, conducting genetic analyses to identify blood group markers, and validating our findings.
Molecular analyses will investigate polymorphisms in the elephant genome (Kim et al., 2021). Based on these results, we will conduct functional analyses to verify blood group gene expression. This phase will be methodologically aligned with identified markers. Depending on findings, we may use validation techniques such as antibody binding studies (Bücheler & Giger, 1993) or analyses of erythrocyte membrane components (Tasker et al., 2014).
By June 2026, we will complete data analysis, establish a standardized protocol, and publish results. The outcome will be a validated, field-ready compatibility testing system for veterinarians to use in emergencies — especially for juvenile elephants affected by EEHV, where transfusions can be lifesaving
Budget
| Category & Costs | What this means | |
| Lab supplies & reagents 3170,46€ |
| Special materials for blood tests including antibodies, enzymes, and chemical solutions that help us identify blood compatibility patterns. |
| Genetic & molecular analysis 8363,53€ | | Extracting and analyzing DNA from blood samples to study the genes responsible for blood types in elephants. This includes special kits, custom primers, and next-generation sequencing to read the genetic code. |
| Antigen validation 1500,00€ | | Advanced laboratory techniques to reveal if the genes we've identified truly determine blood compatibility. |
| International travel & fieldwork 6851,00€ | | Three-month research stay in Thailand + field trips across Europe to collect samples. Covers flights, local transportation, accommodation, and daily expenses at local rates. |
TOTAL PROJECT BUDGET | € 19884,99
Endorsed by
Project Timeline
Oct–Dec 2024: Preliminary research ✅
Jan–Mar 2025: Field research and crossmatching in Thailand ✅
Apr–Jul 2025: Expanded compatibility testing, complement and plasma/serum comparison, in EU zoos and Thailand
Aug–Nov 2025: Comparative genetic analysis of Thai and European samples
Dec 2025–Apr 2026: Functional validation of candidate antigens to assess whether identified genes express relevant blood group antigens
May–Jun 2026: Data analysis and publication
Oct 01, 2024
Literature Review: research articles, books, and relevant studies to identify knowledge gaps in the field and support the foundation of the dissertation - Completed ✅
Dec 31, 2024
Research Design and Methodology Finalization: including the choice of qualitative methods, semi-structured interviews, and thematic analysis - Completed ✅
Mar 31, 2025
Data Collection 1: Blood Sample Collection for crossmatching and Preparation for genetic analysis - Completed ✅
May 28, 2025
Project Launched
Dec 31, 2025
Data Collection 2: Genetic Analysis and Blood Group Typing
Meet the Team
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Team Bio
Our International Expert Team
Our German-Thai research team combines expertise in elephant medicine, hematology, microbiology, and molecular genetics. This unique collaboration enables the first systematic investigation of blood groups in Asian elephants, supporting both scientific understanding and improved veterinary care for this endangered species.
Vanessa Klabouch
Vanessa Klabouch is a veterinarian with a strong focus on wildlife medicine.
She is currently conducting her doctoral research on elephant hematology at the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, in collaboration with Mahanakorn University of Technology and Kasetsart University in Thailand.
With extensive hands-on experience from wildlife rescue and conservation projects in Thailand, Canada, the Netherlands, and her home country Germany, Vanessa is dedicated to improving veterinary care for wild animals. Her work aims to contribute to species conservation through science-based approaches, particularly focusing on the health and well-being of elephants.
Darsaniya Punyadarsaniya
Assist. Prof. Dr. Darsaniya Punyadarsaniya is a veterinary microbiologist specializing in viral research at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mahanakorn University of Technology in Thailand.
After completing her veterinary medicine studies at the same institution, she earned her doctoral degree (Dr. med. vet.) in Virology from the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany. Additionally, she obtained a Master's degree in Human Resource and Organization Development from Thailand's National Institute of Development Administration.
Her research primarily focuses on microbiology, significantly contributing to the study of avian influenza viruses. She has developed innovative culture systems to analyze virus infections in differentiated intestinal epithelial cells. Dr. Punyadarsaniya's work also includes investigating natural extracts to enhance immune responses in aquatic species and exploring the antimicrobial efficacy of food additives, effectively bridging fundamental virology research with practical applications in veterinary medicine.
http://www.vet.mut.ac.th/main/...
Marion Schmicke
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Marion Schmicke is a veterinary endocrinologist and laboratory diagnostics expert with a strong focus on laboratory method establishment in veterinary medicine. Currently, she holds a professorship in Veterinary Endocrinology and Laboratory Diagnostics at the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover.
With an extensive background in academia, Prof. Dr. Schmicke has contributed significantly to research on the somatotropic axis and its role in metabolic adaptation indifferent species. She also leads the Clinical Endocrinology Laboratory at the university, where she works on advancing diagnostic methods in veterinary medicine.
Her research interests include veterinary endocrinology, reproductive physiology, and the development of diagnostic tools for veterinary practices. Prof. Dr. Schmicke’s work has broad applications, improving animal health management and diagnostics in various species including wildlife. Her career includes various academic and research positions, including a junior professorship at University of Veterinary Medicine in Hannover, Germany and guest professorship at ETH Zurich, Switzerland, and she has actively participated in numerous international research projects focused on veterinary health and endocrinology.
https://www.tiho-hannover.de/k...
Danai Sangthong
Assist. Prof. Dr. Danai Sangthong is a veterinary geneticist and molecular diagnostics expert currently serving as Assistant Dean for Academic Services at the Faculty of Veterinary Technology, Kasetsart University in Thailand.
After earning his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with first-class honors from Mahanakorn University of Technology, she completed his Ph.D. in Genetics at Kasetsart University. Dr. Sangthong's research spans molecular genetics, protein expression, population genetics, and genetic diversity with a particular focus on blood parasites and their hosts and vectors. Her expertise extends to species identification using molecular techniques, having developed multiple PCR assays for various applications including wildlife conservation, food authentication, and forensics.
With extensive academic and administrative experience, including positions as Director of Graduate School at Mahanakorn University of Technology and Head of Department of Animal Husbandry and Basic Professional Science, Dr. Sangthong combines molecular research with practical applications in veterinary technology and conservation genetics.
Additional Information
Eriksson, T., Hayward, G. S., Howard, L. L., Ling, P. D., Lunn, S., Latimer, E., & Dastjerdi, A. (2022). Effects of between and within herd moves on Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV) recrudescence andshedding in captive Asian elephants (Elephas maximus). Viruses, 14(2), 229.
Windberger, U., Plasenzotti, R., & Voracek, T. (2005). The fluidity of blood in African
elephants (Loxodonta africana). Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, 33, 321–326.
Dahr, P. (1950). Die Technik der Blutgruppen- und Blutfaktoren-Bestimmung (4./5.
Auflage). Georg Thieme, Leipzig.
Bansiddhi, P., Vongchan, P., Satityueny, A., Boonpraser, K., Mahasawang, S., Roongsri, R., Brown, J. L., & Thitaram, C. (2015). Blood compatibility testing in Asian elephants using anindirect antiglobulin technique to improve captive breeding success. Asian Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 10(12), 903–910.
Kretschmer, V., & Legler, T. Blutgruppenantigene und -antikörper. In: 27 Blutgruppenantigene und -antikörper. Verfügbar unter: https://www.labor-und-diagnose.de. Zuletzt abgerufen am 11. Dezember 2024.
Tasker, S., Barker, E. N., Day, M. J., & Helps, C. R. (2014). Feline blood genotyping versus phenotyping and detection of non-AB blood type incompatibilities in UK cats. Journal of SmallAnimal Practice, 55, 185–189.
Bücheler, J., & Giger, U. (1993). Alloantibodies against A and B blood types in cats. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology, 38, 283–295
Kretschmer, V., & Legler, T. Blutgruppenantigene und -antikörper. In: 27
Blutgruppenantigene und -antikörper. Verfügbar unter: https://www.labor-und-diagnose.de. Zuletzt abgerufen am 11. Dezember 2024.
Kim, T. Y., Yu, H., Phan, M.-T. T., Jang, J.-H., & Cho, D. (2021). Application of blood group genotyping by next-generation sequencing in various immunohematology cases. Transfusion Medicine and Hemotherapy, 49(2), 88–96.
Project Backers
- 13Backers
- 7%Funded
- $1,338Total Donations
- $102.92Average Donation
