Pathology–
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Raffick Bowen

Academic Appointments

Professional Snapshot

Honors and Awards

  • Fellowship in Clinical Chemistry, Ontario Ministry of Health (2001-2003)
  • Clinical Chemistry Trainee Award, Dade Behring (2003)
  • Forgarty Fellowship, NIH (2003-2006)
  • Distinguished Abstract, National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry (2006)
  • Fellow, American Board of Clinical Chemistry (2007)

Scientific Focus

Research Interests

Blood collection tubes are much more complex devices than is commonly appreciated by clinical laboratorians. Commercial tubes have multiple components that contribute to the optimal formation of serum or plasma for laboratory analysis.

My research has shown that the silicone surfactant, Silwet L-720™, used in blood collection tubes from a major manufacturer interferes with some immunoassays. This surfactant causes desorption of capture antibodies from the solid-phase in some immunoassay reagents.

Since the quality of patient care depends on the quality of all the information that a physician uses in making treatment decisions, blood collection tubes should be manufactured to an extremely high standard like other medical devices.

I am currently testing different types of surfactants on immunoassays. This work will hopefully lead to blood collection tubes with minimum assay interferences and a better understanding of the effects of blood collection tube surfactant on assays, particularly, immunoassays.