Artificial blood that requires no refrigeration or blood-type matching is now being tested in Japan. Researchers at Nara Medical University are developing artificial blood that is compatible with every blood type, potentially eliminating one of the biggest challenges in emergency medicine. Instead of relying on freshly donated blood, the team extracts hemoglobin – the oxygen-carrying protein inside red blood cells – from expired donor blood. The hemoglobin is then sealed inside a protective shell to create artificial red blood cells. Because the artificial cells have no blood type, they can theoretically be given to any patient without compatibility testing. The breakthrough could be especially valuable during emergencies, disasters and in remote areas where matching blood types quickly can be difficult. It also has a much longer shelf life than donated blood. While donated red blood cells can typically be stored for up to 42 days under refrigeration, the artificial blood can reportedly be stored for up to two years at room temperature and up to five years when refrigerated. Human trials began in 2022 with small groups of healthy volunteers. Researchers have since increased the amount being administered, with participants receiving between 100 and 400 milliliters in the latest phase of testing. So far, volunteers have experienced only mild side effects, with no significant changes in vital signs reported. If larger clinical trials continue to demonstrate that the artificial blood is both safe and effective, the researchers hope it could begin practical medical use by around 2030. A universal blood supply could help save lives in trauma care, military medicine, disaster response and hospitals facing chronic blood shortages around the world. Learn more: "Japanese Scientists Develop Artificial Blood Compatible With All Blood Types." Tokyo Weekender

Artificial blood that requires no refrigeration or blood-type matching is now being tested in Japan. Researchers at Nara Medical University are developing artificial blood that is compatible with every blood type, potentially eliminating one of the biggest challenges in emergency medicine. Instead of relying on freshly donated blood, the team extracts hemoglobin – the oxygen-carrying protein inside red blood cells – from expired donor blood. The hemoglobin is then sealed inside a protective shell to create artificial red blood cells. Because the artificial cells have no blood type, they can theoretically be given to any patient without compatibility testing. The breakthrough could be especially valuable during emergencies, disasters and in remote areas where matching blood types quickly can be difficult. It also has a much longer shelf life than donated blood. While donated red blood cells can typically be stored for up to 42 days under refrigeration, the artificial blood can reportedly be stored for up to two years at room temperature and up to five years when refrigerated. Human trials began in 2022 with small groups of healthy volunteers. Researchers have since increased the amount being administered, with participants receiving between 100 and 400 milliliters in the latest phase of testing. So far, volunteers have experienced only mild side effects, with no significant changes in vital signs reported. If larger clinical trials continue to demonstrate that the artificial blood is both safe and effective, the researchers hope it could begin practical medical use by around 2030. A universal blood supply could help save lives in trauma care, military medicine, disaster response and hospitals facing chronic blood shortages around the world. Learn more: "Japanese Scientists Develop Artificial Blood Compatible With All Blood Types." Tokyo Weekender