Health Method enables blood mass production

Blood made in the lab could be especially helpful for people with a rare blood type
Again and again, for example, people need a blood donation after accidents. Researchers have now developed a method that enables mass production of red blood cells, which are then also suitable for use as a blood donation.

Researchers at the University of Bristol and NHS Blood and Transplant developed an opportunity to reach mass production of red blood cells. The physicians published the results of their study in the journal "Nature Communications".

Some people have very rare blood types. For those affected it is therefore difficult to obtain a suitable blood donation. However, medical professionals have now succeeded in producing mass-produced blood. (Image: Dan Race / fotolia.com)

Red blood cells could already be produced in small quantities before
The new results are a significant leap towards mass production of red blood cells, say the authors. Although red blood cells can already be produced in the lab, the problem is the amount. The research team now developed a method to produce an unlimited amount of red blood cells.

Artificially produced blood is very expensive
There is still one major drawback with this form of production. The artificial blood will be much more expensive than the blood of a conventional donation, say the experts. For this reason, it is likely to be used primarily for people with very rare blood types.

So far, only 50,000 red blood cells could be produced from one stem cell
The previous technique worked with a stem cell. This produces red blood cells in the body. The cell is then modified to also produce red blood cells in the laboratory. However, the cell eventually consumes itself. Therefore, it is not possible to produce more than 50,000 red blood cells with a stem cell, the experts explain.

Cells are immortalized in the experiment, so to speak
A trick developed by the researchers succeeded in capturing the stem cells at an early stage. At this time, they are still growing in an unlimited number. So the cells could be made immortal, so to speak, say the scientists.

New method allows literwise production of blood
When the researchers had this group of cells, they could easily trigger a transformation into red blood cells. We have developed an effective way for the sustainable production of red cells for clinical use. Jan Frayne. We were able to make gallons of blood with this method, the expert adds.

Further research is needed
Researchers now have the biological resource for mass production of red blood cells, but they still need mass production technology. The research is therefore far from over. The difference is similar to the difference between a home-brewery and a professional big brewer, the doctors add.

Further research is a challenge for bioengineering
Producing blood cells on such a scale is extremely demanding, according to the researchers. The next phase of the research is to develop new methods that allow an increase in the yield. However, this is a real challenge for bioengineering, explain the experts. The costs are expected to be a massive barrier to the widespread use of manufactured blood, the researchers add.

Investigations of the safety of the manufactured blood could start already this year
So far, there are no plans to replace the traditional method of donating blood, the doctors say. However, there are major problems in the care of certain people who have a particularly rare blood type. The first therapeutic use of a cultured red cell product is likely to be for patients with rare blood types, as appropriate conventional red blood cell donations may be difficult to obtain, explains author Professor Anstee of NHS Blood and Transplant. Studies on the safety of blood from the laboratory are already planned for this year. (As)