Credit: University of Essex/ExtremeTech
Many lives have been saved, & continue to be saved by blood transfusions. But there are difficulties:
● supply volume — despite enormous efforts of collection organisations & donors, shortages occur
● storage — blood supplies must be stored at controlled temperature at great cost
● limited life of blood in storage
● potential cross infection — e.g. fears related to HIV
● blood types continue to cause difficulties — almost unsurmountable problems with the most rare blood types
Researchers at the University of Essex have created artificial blood which promises to solve all of the above problems.
http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/184294-real-true-blood-safe-artificial-blood-heading-to-a-bloodstream-near-you
Interesting to see what those who object to blood transfusions on grounds of belief make of this. / human blood transfusion transfuse short supply 100 million donations every year supply lacked the proper facilities store manage scientists blood substitutes patients HaemO2 project University of Essex England designing safer oxygen carrier molecule stored at room temperature long periods toxic effects blood substitutes human blood immune cells proteins researchers red blood cell transfusion donut shaped non nucleated cells main solid constituent blood distinctive red color red molecule heart red blood cell ability to carry oxygen haemoglobin hemoglobin iron bearing protein oxygen atom molecule lungs body cells HaemO2 project replicated develop artificial blood toxic side effects walls red blood cell circulation bloodstream decompose ferryl intermediates free radicals HaemO2 modified hemoglobin molecule naturally occurring vitamin C uric acid additional amino acids tyrosine inserting recombinant genes E. coli bacteria growing culture bacteria protein metabolic activity red cells recombinant proteins purified concentrated emergency responders blood typing no blood type markers room temperature emergencies distribution remote areas blood replacement immune compromised individuals as-yet-undiscovered bloodborne pathogens HIV epidemic granted patents transfusions /
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