Japanese Scientists Develop Artificial Blood Compatible With All Blood Types
A critical
component
of healthcare, blood transfusions play a vital role in saving lives around the globe every day. Maintaining an adequate blood supply, though, is no easy task, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). The demand for O
–
negative blood — the universal donor type — often exceeds supply and donations have a limited shelf life. Looking to address the issue are a group of Japanese scientists led by Hiromi Sakai at
Nara Medical University
.
They've
developed a new type of artificial blood that can be used in patients of any blood type.
The artificial blood is created by extracting hemoglobin — a protein
containing
iron that
facilitates
the transportation of oxygen in red blood cells — from expired donor blood. It is then encased in a protective shell to create stable, virus-free artificial red blood cells. As these artificial cells have no blood type, there is no need for compatibility testing. The synthetic blood can
reportedly be
stored for up to two years at room temperature and five years under refrigeration. That is a significant improvement over donated red blood cells, which can only be stored under refrigeration for a maximum of
42 days
.
Artificial Blood Trials
Small-scale studies began in 2022. Three groups of four healthy male volunteers aged 20 to 50 received a single intravenous injection of hemoglobin vesicles — artificial oxygen carriers that mimic the structure of red blood cells — in increasing amounts, up to 100 milliliters. While some participants experienced mild side effects, there were no significant changes in vital signs, including blood pressure. Building on that success, Sakai announced that his team was accelerating the process last July. In March, it started administering between 100 and 400 milliliters of the artificial blood cell solution to volunteers.
If no side effects are confirmed, the trial will shift to examin
ing
the treatment's efficacy and safety. It aims to put the artificial red blood cells into practical use by around 2030. While these studies are taking place, Professor Teruyuki Komatsu of Chuo University's Faculty of Science and Engineering is also working on the development of artificial oxygen carriers, using albumin-encased hemoglobin to stabilize blood pressure and treat conditions like hemorrhage and stroke. So far, animal studies have shown promising results. As a result, researchers are now eager to move to human trials.
Related Posts
Japanese Researchers Develop Peptide To Counter COVID-19 Viruses
'Flesh Eating' STSS Infections Reach Record Numbers in Japan
Eating Disorders on the Rise in Japan
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Nikkei Asia
an hour ago
- Nikkei Asia
Japan's Kao ramps up Asia makeup push as China, South Korea brands rise
TOKYO -- Japan's Kao is making a renewed marketing push for cosmetics brand Kate across Asia, quintupling promotional expenses there and underlining its Japanese identity on social media to try to fend off rapidly rising Chinese and South Korean competitors. The health and beauty company announced a new overseas strategy for low-priced brand Kate on Wednesday that focuses on becoming a leading Tokyo-based brand in Asia and spreading a worldview that expresses individuality.
7 hours ago
Japan Group Seeks Govt Measures against Online Sexual Ads
News from Japan Society Jun 4, 2025 21:25 (JST) Tokyo, June 4 (Jiji Press)--A Japanese civic group submitted to the Children and Families Agency on Wednesday a petition for measures beyond agency boundaries against sexual content in online advertising. The group, which aims to cordon off sexual ads on the internet, says that such ads should be unavailable for those who do not want to see them. The group said it has collected online more than 100,000 signatures supporting its cause. Since regulation by the government could infringe freedom of expression, the group suggests self-regulation by advertisers and other related parties as a solution. "We want the government to have the position that explicit ads are problematic," the group leader engaging in the campaign under the pseudonym "Kyo Kagawa" told a press conference, proposing an advance warning before such ads start. Some lawmakers described such ads as a problem, including at a meeting of the Budget Committee of the House of Councillors, the upper chamber of parliament, in March. In response, Junko Mihara, minister for children-related policies, said that the government would present a rough outline of government measures by summer. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
The Mainichi
10 hours ago
- The Mainichi
Japan enacts revised law to curb customer abuse, protect workers
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan on Wednesday enacted a revised law requiring all companies to adopt protective measures against overbearing or abusive behavior by customers, as such conduct has reportedly caused mental health issues and distress among workers. The legislation, set to take effect by the end of 2026, calls on companies, along with local governments, to establish clear rules to counter abuse and create consultation systems for victims. The specific details will be outlined in forthcoming guidelines. Companies that do not meet the criteria will receive administrative guidance and recommendations. If they fail to comply, their names will be publicly disclosed. The revised law follows a rise in cases of workers quitting or falling ill due to "kasu-hara," a Japanese slang term for customer harassment. Some pundits say that the phrase "the customer is God" and a culture of excessive hospitality have fueled arrogant behavior in Japan. The legislation defines customer harassment as "words and actions that are not acceptable in general and disturb the working environment of employees." In the field of gender empowerment, the revised legislation also aims to address health-related challenges in the workplace, while urging companies to institute policies against the sexual harassment of students interviewing for graduate jobs.
