Artificial Blood
What is Artificial Blood?
Artificial blood is a promising innovation that will mimic red blood cells to solve major health challenges such as blood shortages and blood type incompatibility. They are called hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) or perfluorocarbon-based substitutes (PFCs). Researchers are trying to replicate the same functions of natural blood by engineering hemoglobin (iron-rich protein in red blood cells), but developing safe artificial blood still poses a challenge.
Why does Artificial Blood seem Promising?
Can be used immediately without find a compatible donor, making blood type compatibility not required
If there is a low supply of blood or a large incident, artificial blood can be used to save lives
Little to no risk of transmission of blood-borne pathogens
If possible, artificial blood could have longer shelf life than donated blood
Artificial Blood Development Barriers
Free Hemoglobin: Hemoglobin is contained inside human red blood cells, but hemoglobin in artificial blood circulates freely. This causes free hemoglobin to be chemically unstable and toxic, leading to oxidative stress and tissue damage.
Effect on Blood Vessels: Free hemoglobin can disrupt nitric oxide, a molecule that helps blood vessels relax. This can lead to constriction of blood vessels, leading to high blood pressure and increased strain on the heart.
Risk of Serious Complications: The underdevelopment of artificial blood can lead to serious complications: heart attacks, stroke, kidney damage, blood clotting
Replication of Natural Blood: Currently, artificial blood has limited oxygen transport, making it difficult to replicate blood functions like fighting infections, helping with clotting, and longer shelf life
Artificial blood poses as a universal, medical tool to solve the world’s medical supply chain problems. Even though this topic has been an evolving study for over a century, the complications to replicate the biological complexity of blood has made it difficult for researchers to develop safe artificial blood.
