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 cope 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 safe blood »Regrets the WHO. In addition, there are significant disparities and the collections carried out in blood transfusion centers vary from one country to another. But the solution to face the shortage of blood could be provided by a team of Japanese researchers.
Scientists from the Tokorozawa City National Defense Medical College have developed artificial blood in the laboratory which they say could be transfused to patients, regardless of their blood type. The results of this discovery were published in the medical journal Transfusion.
“Universal” artificial blood that is easy to store
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”. Furthermore, it can be stored at normal temperatures for over a year.
This artificial blood has already been tested on ten rabbits who have lost a large amount of blood. At the end of the tests, no side effects, such as clotting, have been reported and six rabbits survived, the same number as if it was natural blood.
This invention is a major breakthrough and will probably save lives. It remains to be seen how this artificial blood can be manufactured on an industrial scale.
Perrine Deurot-Bien
Read also : What happens when you donate blood?
