Only Cells

🚨Big changes here at @OnlyCellsLTD! Not just a shop page anymore. Expect: 🔬 Haematology education 📚 CPD tools 🎓 Webinars 🎨 Lab-inspired merch Because science isn’t just for the bench — it’s for your brain and your wardrobe. Knowledge you can share. Science you can wear.

🩸#MorphologyMonday | Case MM260216: Southeast Asian Ovalocytosis onlycells.co.uk/mm260216-sao/ This week's case showed macro-ovalocytes on the blood film from a patient with Southeast Asian ovalocytosis. #OnlyCells #BloodFilm #morphology #LabDiagnostics #RedCells #Ovalocytes

That first sip of caffeine during a long shift is less of a drink and more of a total cellular reboot! I was scanning a blood film and spotted this neutrophil that perfectly captured my "pre-coffee" state, looking a bit depleted and distinctly unhappy. It felt like a sign, so I’ve turned my microscopic discovery into the official Only Cells Before and After Coffee/Tea mug. Whether you're on the early shift or pushing through a night run, this is for everyone who knows that a happy lab starts with a caffeinated scientist. 👉 Grab yours here: onlycells.shop (Etsy)

We’ve all been there, whether it's a long weekend day shift or at 03:00am on a night shift, the bleep is bleeping, the phone won't stop ringing and the analysers seeking attention. The urgent samples are starting to pile up and you're starting to get tired. This design wasn’t cooked up in a graphic studio; it was discovered on the bench. While scanning a blood film, I spotted this sad looking neutrophil face. It looked exactly how I felt before my first brew of the shift. Naturally, I couldn't leave it like that. The mug summarises the before and after feeling of that first warm brew of the shift (or day!). The perfect relatable gift for Biomedical Scientists, Pathologists, or anyone who knows that coffee or tea are the primary fuel of healthcare science. Question is, what is your beverage of choice? 👉 Grab yours here: onlycells.shop (Etsy, worldwide shipping available)

🩸#MorphologyMonday | Case MM260216 onlycells.co.uk/mm260216/ This week’s case features a patient of Southeast Asian descent, referred to haematology after an incidental finding during a routine pre-surgical workup. Despite being clinically well and having a normal haemoglobin, their blood sample caused a stir in the laboratory. Even without anaemia, the analyser struggled with this sample and gave several alerts. 👉 Given the patient's geographic background what is the most likely diagnosis? 👉 This condition is caused by a specific deletion in a major red cell membrane protein. Do you know which one? 👉 What is the evolutionary advantage of this morphological trait? #OnlyCells #LabDiagnostics #RedCells #Morphology #BloodFilm

🩸#MorphologyMonday | Case MM260202 onlycells.co.uk/mm260202/ This week’s case involves a patient in the ICU with acute liver failure. The FBC results show: - Hb: 67g/L - PLT: 41 - WBC: 8.1 While reviewing the blood film, the biomedical scientist noticed abnormalities in the red cells, but also interestingly some inclusions within the neutrophils. 👉 What are the inclusions? 👉 What do they mean in terms of the patient's prognosis? 👉 What red cell features can you seen? #BloodFilm #Neutrophils #RedCells #haematology #LiverFailure #LabDiagnostics

🩸#MorphologyMonday | Case MM260126 onlycells.co.uk/mm260126/ This week’s case started with a "heads-up" call from the Haematology SpR before the sample even reached the lab. A patient referred from another hospital presented to the ED. FBC Results: - WBC: 319.64 - Hb: 146 g/L - PLT: 205 👉 Question 1: What is the first thing on your radar? What could it be? 👉 Question 2: Why is a G6PD screen so critical in a patient with this specific suspected diagnosis? #OnlyCells #BloodFilm #LabDiagnostics

🩸#MorphologyMonday | Case MM260119: HDFN onlycells.co.uk/mm260119-hdfn/ The blood film shows increased NRBCs, spherocytes and polychromasia. Given the details of the case it is suggestive of Rh sensitisation following a lack of anti-D prophylaxis. Read more at the link above to understand why anti-Kell HDFN is ruled out in this case. #OnlyCells #BloodFilm #LabDiognostics #neonate #redcells #LabDiagnostics

🩸#MorphologyMonday | Case MM260119 onlycells.co.uk/mm260119/ Today’s case comes from NICU (neonatal intensive care unit). The neonate has rapid-onset jaundice and a plummeting haemoglobin. The baby's mother is RhD Neg and missed multiple appointments during her pregnancy and so never received anti-D prophylaxis. 👉 Question: Does the film show a "suppressed" marrow or an "active, stressed" marrow response? Look closely at the presence of immature forms. What could the diagnosis be? #OnlyCells #BloodFilm #RedCells #Pregnancy #LabDiagnostics

🩸#MorphologyMonday | Case MM260112: Post splenectomy changes onlycells.co.uk/mm260112-splen… Given the diagnosis of a transfusion dependent patient with HbE/beta-thalassaemia, the striking features on the blood film were the microcytic, hypochromic red cells, many of which were target cells. Some cells also contained Howell-Jolly bodies indicative of a lack of a spleen. #OnlyCells #BloodFilm #LabDiagnositcs #HbE #Thalassaemia

🩸#MorphologyMonday | Case MM260112 onlycells.co.uk/mm260112/ Today’s case involves a patient with HbE/beta-thalassaemia. Because they are transfusion-dependent, the blood film shows a fascinating "two-tone" picture. Looking closely at the patient’s own red cells, there are distinct "remnants" and inclusions that shouldn't be there. These features tell us exactly what has happened to this patient’s anatomy. 👉 Question: What features do you see and what organ is this patient missing? Comment below with your diagnosis and the features that gave it away! I’ll post the full breakdown and the "reveal" later this week. #OnlyCells #BloodFilm #RedCells #haemoglobinopathy #thalassaemia #LabDiagnostics

🩸#MorphologyMonday | Case MM260105: Prolymphocytes in CLL onlycells.co.uk/mm260105-cll/ The results are in for the first case of the year. Many of you correctly identified the cells correctly as prolymphocytes rather than blasts. The initial manual differential overnight flagged these cells as blasts due to their prominent nucleoli. However, a follow-up review confirmed prolymphocytes in a patient with CLL. #OnlyCells #BloodFilm #Haematology #CLL #LabDiagnostics

🩸#MorphologyMonday | Case MM260105 onlycells.co.uk/mm260105/ A 62-year-old female presented to the ED overnight. The haematology analyser flagged a large "grey" population on the WDF scattergram and a WBC of 38.4×10⁹/L The biomedical scientist on the night shift performed a manual differential and identified a high percentage of the cells as Blasts. However, the clinical picture and the scattergram suggest there might be more to the story. 👉 Question: Do you agree with the initial assessment of "Blasts," or could these be morphological mimics? What else would be on your radar? #OnlyCells #BloodFilm #WhiteCells #LabDiagnostics

Wishing you a happy, healthy and peaceful new year. See you in the new year 👋

🎙️ Where are you now - with Claire Chang When a Biomedical Scientist decides to trade the lab coat for corporate strategy, what makes them take that critical leap? That's the question we're answering in Part 1 of a 2 part series featuring the remarkable Claire Chang. Claire’s career journey is a masterclass in identifying opportunities and utilising transferable skills. She started in the rigorous, detail-oriented world of a Biomedical Scientist, a career requiring incredible analytical rigour and calm under pressure. But that wasn't the final chapter. In this episode Claire shares: 🧪What she loved (and what she left behind) in the lab. 💡 The pivot point that made her apply her skills in a completely different role. 🧠 How the scientific mindset prepares you for strategic challenges outside the laboratory. If you've ever felt curious about other careers after biomedical science, this episode is a great listen! 🔊 youtu.be/3bdyHLsL9Ho Stay tuned for Part 2, where we delve deep into her current role at a law firm! #CareerChange #BiomedicalScience #RiskManagement #BusinessContinuity #CareerPivot #TransferableSkills #OnlyCellsPodcast #ProfessionalDevelopment

#MorphologyMonday and the power of sharing It’s always a highlight to look at the fascinating, and sometimes even funny, sights we spot down the microscope; neutrophils that look like familiar faces or an abundance of love (hearts) in monocytes. As many of you know, I regularly share these snapshots as part of #MorphologyMonday and other posts here on Only Cells. These images are captured by myself (unless explicitly credited otherwise) and are shared with the fantastic community of laboratory professionals and clinicians with an open heart and a clear purpose: to advance training, education, and development across the field. This means you are absolutely free to use these images in your internal presentations, training modules, educational resources, and for self-study. However, it has come to my attention that some of these images are being used to create products for sale. A courteous request: If you plan to use any image shared on any of the Only Cells platforms (including but not limited to LinkedIn, Twitter/X, Instagram, YouTube and BlueSky) or from my personal Profile (@BloodScientist ) for commercial purposes (e.g., in products, books, or materials intended for sale), please be kind enough to reach out to me via direct message first to ask for permission. This ensures I can support your venture while maintaining clarity on image licensing. Thank you all for being part of such a collaborative and ethical community. Keep sharing those amazing cellular sights! #Haematology #OnlyCells #LabLife #Morphology #LabDiagnostics #Education

🩸#MorphologyMonday | Case MM251201 onlycells.co.uk/mm251201/ This week’s case comes from a 46-year-old male presenting with fatigue, mild shortness of breath, and light-headedness. Routine blood tests showed some abnormalities, prompting a blood film review. FBC Results: - Hb: 104 g/L - RBC: 3.5 ×10¹²/L - HCT: 0.32 - MCV: 91 fL - MCH: 29.7 pg - MCHC: 326 g/L - RDW: 14.2% - WBC: 6.7 ×10⁹/L - Platelets: 228 ×10⁹/L 👉 Question: What cell type can you identify in the image? What conditions do you associate with it? #OnlyCells #LabDiagnostics #RedCells #Morphology #BloodFilm

I'm absolutely delighted to share some brilliant reviews the Only Cells shop has received recently! Hearing how much people (and their friends!) love their gifts truly makes all the hard work worthwhile. There's a fantastic range of science themed enamel pins perfect for livening up a lab coat, lanyard, or backpack. From the 'Lab Life' coat to specialised pins for Biomedical Scientists (BMS) and Medical Lab Assistants (MLA), there's a unique piece for every specialty. And yes, that includes a certain dark lord of the Sith in a lab coat and a Jedi master too! Ready to add some science to your style? 🚨Remember if it's been less than a year since you registered as a Biomedical Scientist then you may be eligible to a FREE Only Cells pin! Send me a message to claim yours. Shop the full collection today: 👉 onlycells.etsy.com Only Cells: Knowledge you can share, science you can wear. The pins are the perfect present for a lab colleague, a newly qualified professional, or a little treat for yourself. #OnlyCells #Science #LabLife #BiomedicalScience #MedicalLabAssistant #EnamelPins #GiftIdeas #EtsySeller #STEM #Shop

If you're a Transfusion Trainer or LIMS specialist, you know the drill: the constant struggle of preparing realistic, compliant blood component units for essential training and system testing. 📜 You've scraped ice off frozen products, vigorously wiped down photocopier glass, cut out images, and laminated them, only to watch them expire a few days or weeks later, forcing you to repeat the laborious cycle. 💻 The Solution is Here: The Only Cells Blood Component Barcode Generator I've built a lightweight, web-based tool that eliminates the manual burden, allowing you to generate perfectly compliant and scannable blood component labels instantly. No more messy paperwork. No more out-of-date photocopies. Just validated, digital units ready for use. ❓ Why This Tool is Essential for Training: ✅ Guaranteed Compliance: the generator produces barcodes that adhere strictly to the ISBT 128 standard, including correct formatting for Donation ID, Blood Group, Expiry Date, and, crucially, mathematically validated checksums for accurate LIMS testing. ✅ Instant Scannability: Barcodes can be scanned directly from your screen during simulation, or the generated image can be downloaded for printing or incorporating into training documentation. ✅ Dynamic Flexibility: Simply input your desired unit number, blood group, component code, and expiry date. The tool instantly renders the complete, realistic component label overlay. Read more about the tool and download it here: onlycells.co.uk/blood-componen… #OnlyCells #BloodTransfusion #Training #LIMS #ISBT #tool #BloodComponents #ISBT128

🩸#MorphologyMonday | Case MM251117 onlycells.co.uk/mm251117/ This week’s case comes from an 84-year-old male who was referred to the haematology team after routine blood tests showed a markedly raised white cell count. Clinically, he reported several weeks of general fatigue but no acute symptoms. He was otherwise well and presented via his GP. The FBC showed: - White cell count: 823 ×10⁹/L (Note: This value exceeded the analyser’s linearity range) - Red cell count: 2.69 ×10¹²/L - Haemoglobin: 84–106 g/L (range reflects correction due to WBC interference) - Haematocrit: 0.306 - MCV: 92.4 fL A blood film was made and images can be seen below. What do you think the diagnosis could be? How do you approach any parameter that exceeds analyser linearity? #OnlyCells #BloodFilm #WhiteCells #LabDiagnostics

🩸#MorphologyMonday | Case MM251110: May Hegglin anomaly onlycells.co.uk/mm251103-mha/ ✅ 28-year-old patient ✅ Mild symptoms only: occasional easy bruising, no major bleeding history. ✅ Platelets 62 × 10⁹/L ✅ Blood film: Large platelets + pale blue Dӧhle body like inclusions in neutrophils. Diagnosis: May Hegglin anomaly #OnlyCells #BloodFilm #Platelets #Genetics #LabDiagnostics