🩸American Scientists Have Created Artificial Blood
A team of doctors from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and medtech startup KaloCyte has developed synthetic blood called ErythroMer, which can be used for transfusions in emergencies directly at the scene of an accident.
🩸 Long shelf life. Universal match.
Synthetic blood is obtained from hemoglobin extracted from expired donated blood.
The protein is placed in a shell of lipid nanoparticles, producing artificial red blood cells—erythrocytes.
They are then freeze-dried to a powder. When mixed with sterile water, the result is a blood substitute ready for transfusion.
The substance is compatible with any blood type, can be stored for years at room temperature, and is easy to transport.
Researchers have successfully tested ErythroMer on rabbits and are awaiting regulatory approval to begin clinical trials in humans. The U.S. Department of Defense has already invested more than $58 million in this research.
"It would change the way that we could take care of people who are bleeding outside of hospitals. It'd be transformative," said KaloCyte co-founder Dr. Allan Doctor.
Today, about 40% of trauma-related deaths are caused by blood loss. Over half of trauma victims die before arriving at the hospital.
