In a synthetic biology labor dubbed HaemO2 , researchers based at theUniversity of Essexare developing a worldwide artificial blood substitute that , if successful , could potentially be give to any affected role in need , no matter of parentage type .
parentage stand-in are worthy since the number of conferrer worldwide is steady decreasing , have in mind that hospitals are often in short supply of good quality line for use during surgery or after psychic trauma . In particular , person with rare stock type often struggle to regain donor , a trouble which would be figure out with a one - size - fits - all blood . what is more , blood substitutes neutralize the need for screening for viral transmission and therefore symbolise a neat , pronto useable supply of blood that would be especially useful after natural disasters .
HaemO2 , which is led by Professor Chris Cooper , aims to produce a safe and effective rip choice using a hemoglobin - based atomic number 8 carrier ( HBOC ) . Hemoglobin is the iron - containing protein found in carmine blood cell that delight oxygen from the lungs to the repose of the dead body . Although scientist have assay to design a HBOC for this purpose before , premature efforts have fallen down because of the highly responsive nature of heme atomic number 26 when remote reddened blood line cells .
HaemO2are attempting to solve this problem by applied science hemoglobin variants that can detoxify the iron and the damaging free radicals bring about in extracellular Hb . If the team is successful , the leave blood reliever could bestored at room temperatureand have a shelf lifetime of up to two twelvemonth , making it enormously utilitarian .
“ It mean we could overwhelm some of the inherent problems with transfusions as there would be no need for blood group typing and a long shelf life signify you are able-bodied to stockpile the supply necessary for major disasters , ” explained Professor Cooper in anews - release . “ It also volunteer the opportunity for routine transfusion funding in ambulance or at outside inaccessible locations . ”
HaemO2 has just been grant a banging £ 1.5 million ( $ 2.5 million ) of funding which the team hopes will push the production one step further towards commercialization . Although some profligate relief are available in other countries , such as Russia , they are not licensed in the UK or the US .
