Incredible: team of specialists created the first artificial red blood cells
The scientific quest to create tissues and organs that serve to replace those that are damaged is very advanced and, one of the most important research areas is on the side to emulate human blood perfectly.
American researchers created artificial red blood cells that promise to save thousands of lives, because instead of coming in liquid form they do it in powder that must be mixed with water, ready to carry out transfusions at any time and place, preventing people from hemorrhaging before to get to a hospital.
Red blood cells in powder allow to save lives
Human blood is made up of different types of cells with specific functions and red blood cells fulfill the important function of transporting oxygen to all the organs and tissues of the body.
If this oxygen stops coming to the different parts of the body vital organs can not work and the person dies, that is why blood transfusions are so important to save lives.
Every year in the United States, 17,000 people die of hemorrhage and whose death could have been prevented with a transfusion in time. Thinking of them scientists at Washington University in St. Louis work on creating artificial red blood cells.
Designed to be used outside hospitals, these artificial red blood cells called ErythroMer go through a series of processes to finally be in the form of powder which can be mixed at the time of need.
Apart from being portable and fulfilling the function of red blood cells saving lives, ErythroMer can be used in anyone regardless of blood group and only requires water to use them.
ErythroMer: How do artificial red blood cells work?
Artificial blood that can save lives and prevent people from bleeding to death or their organs are damaged by lack of oxygen, that promises ErythroMer product of the work of American scientists.
These artificial red blood cells that are five times smaller than normal, are created using the proteins present in human hemoglobin which is purified and then coated by a special polymer.
These cells, which by a special process turn into powder, have their immune functions deactivated so they can be used in people with any blood group.
Artificial red blood cells are easy to transport to any side since they survive at room temperature and when used only need to add water and are ready for transfusion.
The scientists in charge of this project believe that the ErythroMer has a great future for its use in the battlefield, scene of accident and even for trips to space, that does not replace a normal transfusion but they give a valuable extra time.