Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Cellular Therapies Members 

How do I navigate the Cellular Therapies (CT) website?

Most of the links relevant to the CT professional are located on the 'Cellular Therapies for Professionals' web page http://www.aabb.org/resources/bct/ct/Pages/default.aspx. Resources and quick links located to the right of the page include information on accreditation, audioconferences, billing, commendable practices, AABB Community, standards and much more. 'Topics of Interest' and 'Information on CT' subsections, projects and meetings and collaborations is found in the body of the page. Links to CT activities for the non-professional can be found on the left side along with other AABB information links.

What is the CT section and how is it organized?

The CT section is composed of member volunteers involved in cellular therapies. Interested members must register for topic areas based on their individual interests. Together the CT subsections provide guidance, education and resources to the membership on critical issues relating to cellular therapies, including umbilical cord blood, regenerative medicine and somatic cells. For more information link to http://www.aabb.org/about/governance/committees/Pages/ctsection.aspx

What is the Cellular Therapies Section Coordinating Committee (CTSCC)?

The CTSCC oversees the CT section activities as well as communicates to the AABB Board through its Chair. Elected by CT section members, its members have years of CT experience. Several of its current members were elected because of their direct involvement in subsection activities. To learn more visit http://www.aabb.org/about/governance/committees/Pages/ctsection.aspx

How do I join the CT Section?

To join the CT section one must be an AABB individual member and enroll in a CT subsection(s) through the website. Currently there are 7 subsections focused on different topic areas. Members may join any and as many subsections as they would like. This link lists and describes the subsections in detail (including meeting times) http://www.aabb.org/about/governance/committees/Pages/ctsubsections.aspx. Members can enroll by clicking on the enroll link from the CT site or by going directly to the marketplace http://www.aabb.org/pages/Products.aspx?category=SECTION and selecting the desired subsections. Just click 'add to cart' and follow the prompts. There is no charge to join the subsections. Your name will be placed on the lists for the specific subsection for which you enrolled. You will then be included in the invitations to participate in the subsections and receive all of the subsection-related materials.

What do the CT Subsections do?

The CT subsections discuss CT issues and develop resources such as SOP's, Quality Operations plans, business template, surveys, articles which are useful to CT professionals. Each subsection has its own webpage where projects are posted. Here is a link to where you will find some of the projects (It is a member benefit so specific content is only accessible to members who have a username and password). http://www.aabb.org/resources/bct/ct/Pages/projects.aspx

Who joins the CT Subsections?

Members who have an interest in cellular therapies and who come from all areas of the CT arena including researchers, physicians, nurses, medical technicians, business managers in CT, as well as individuals with transfusion backgrounds interested in transitioning or participating in CT join the CT subsections. Members come from more than 20 countries and international participation is encouraged.

How do the CT Subsections meet?

The CT subsections meet monthly via a teleconference-webinar format. Members call into a conference line. The phone calls are led by subsection leaders, who are also members of the CTSCC, and associate leaders, who may or may not be members of the CTSCC. If members are unable to make the calls, participation is encouraged by joining smaller work groups within a subsection and communicating electronically. In addition, subsection members have the opportunity to meet 'face-to-face' at the AABB Annual Meeting at specially arranged venues.

Will I get CT Subsection meeting reminders?

Yes, once an AABB member has enrolled in a subsection, his/her name is stored in an AABB database for that particular subsection. Each month ~ 1 week before a scheduled meeting time, a personalized reminder email will be sent from AABB to subsection members containing call-in information (i.e., phone number and passcode) and any materials (e.g., meeting agendas, project drafts, supporting documents) for discussion on the call. In addition, an invitation to register for a 'Webinar' will be included. AABB uses a webinar service so that subsection members can view materials on line as they are being discussed. Members need only register once for webinars by clicking directly on the subsection-specific registration link provided or pasting the link to their browser. There is an option to schedule webinars in an Outlook calendar. Other calendars are not supported by the current service. Webinar registrants will receive an automated email reminder from the AABB 'Cellular Therapies Department' containing a unique link to join the subsection call on its scheduled date.

If I change my email address will I still have access to the Subsection Webinars for which I registered?

No. If a member changes his/her email address it will be necessary to re-register for all of the webinars to which he/she belongs. The webinar service is a computer-generated process and any changes of address or names are not linked directly to the AABB database.

What is 'AABB Community' and how do I join the site and set up alerts?

AABB Community is an exciting online venue where individual members can communicate with each other by joining a variety of groups based on their interest. Many CT members join the 'Cellular Therapy' group utilizing the vast array of expertise of its members to post and share topical questions, issues, and answers relevant to the CT community. The community site can be accessed through the 'Cell Therapy for Professionals' page http://www.aabb.org/resources/bct/ct/Pages/default.aspx. A directory listing the groups can be found at http://communities.aabb.org/Groups/Pages/default.aspx. To join the CT group, select 'Cellular Therapy Group', click on the light blue 'Join this Group' button located on the top right of the page. A 'My Network' screen appearing on the left-hand side of the screen will show the group(s) you have joined. If you wish, you can enter your profile and post a picture by clicking on 'my profile' and 'edit'. The other items under 'My Network' can be accessed by clicking on the individual terms. One can visit the Community at any time. To receive regular notice of any new postings on discussion groups, members can set up email 'Alerts'. These must be actively engaged by each member.

Setting up 'Alerts' for the CT discussion group: To receive alerts for the Cellular Therapy discussion group, go to the Cellular Therapy Discussions page and click on the 'discussion' bar located at the top. On the right, you will see a 'bell' icon. Place the cursor on the 'bell'. You will read a balloon message "Alert me on the discussions." Click on the bell. An 'x' will appear indicating that you have activated the email alerts for this group. If you decide you no longer wish to receive the email alerts, just click on the bell to remove. There is also a box to receive all group alerts.

Are there any reading materials on cellular therapies available from AABB?

The AABB offers a variety of publications through its marketplace with CT titles including the recent editions of its Standards for Cellular Therapy Product Services. To learn more visit http://www.aabb.org/Pages/Marketplace.aspx.

Does AABB publish articles on CT in its journal TRANSFUSION?

Articles related to various areas of CT appear in each issue of TRANSFUSION. Authors interested in contributing to TRANSFUSION can find more information by visiting http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/transfusion.

For members interested in keeping up on advances in regenerative medicine, AABB has made available electronic access to the journal Regenerative Medicine at a special member rate. For more information visit http://www.aabb.org/resources/publications/Pages/RegenerativeMedicineJournal.aspx

Are there any CT-specific audioconferences or webinars?

Approximately 6-7 audioconferences on CT topics are offered each year through the AABB Live Learning Center. To view the current list of audioconferences visit the following link http://www.aabb.org/events/audioconferences/Pages/default.aspx.

Does AABB have a newsletter dedicated to CT?

Yes. CellSource is AABB's quarterly newsletter which includes information on CT events, upcoming calendar items, subsection activities as well as regular features such as a dedicated section listing publications that may be of interest to the members. Anyone who has an article that could be of interest to the readers is encouraged to send it to the CellularTherapies department for consideration of placement in the Newsletter.

Where can I find information on CT activities?

Information on CT activities and links to other information can be found on the AABB 'Cellular Therapies for Professionals' webpage: http://www.aabb.org/resources/bct/ct/Pages/default.aspx. In addition, CT items (e.g., FDA items, subsection activities, relevant web postings) appear in the AABB Weekly Report electronic newsletter sent to members via email. Items are indicated by a 'CT' symbol next to the item headings. The current version is also posted on the AABB webpage http://www.aabb.org/Pages/Homepage.aspx.

Who can I contact for more information on CT?

Contact us at celltherapy@aabb.org. We are always delighted to share and welcome members to the CT community.