Researchers have developed "universal" artificial blood

 Tuesday September 8, 2019

A team of Japanese researchers has developed artificial blood. Universal and easier to store than natural blood, it could save many lives.

 

An invention to deal with the blood shortage

Each year, nearly 112.5 million units of blood are collected worldwide. " However, many patients do not have timely access to secure blood "Deplores the WHO. In addition, there are significant disparities and the collections made in blood transfusion centers vary from one country to another. But the solution to deal with the blood shortage could be provided by a team of Japanese researchers.

Scientists at Tokorozawa City National Defense Medical College have developed laboratory artificial blood, which they claim is could be transfused to patients regardless of their blood type. The results of this discovery were published in the medical journal Transfusion.

 

Easy-to-store “universal” artificial blood

To develop their artificial blood, Japanese researchers stored platelets and red blood cells in microscopic bags called liposomes. Developed without antibodies or antigens, this blood is "universal". Otherwise, it can be stored at normal temperatures for more than a year.

This artificial blood has already been tested on ten rabbits that have lost a significant amount of blood. After the tests, no side effects, such as clotting, have been reported and six rabbits survived, the same figure as if it were natural blood.

This invention is a major advance and will likely save lives. It remains to be seen how this artificial blood can be produced on an industrial scale.

 Perrine Deurot-Bien

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