Artificial red blood cells

UC Santa Barbara and Michigan University (USA) have collaborated to successfully synthesize artificial red blood cells (sRBCs), replicating key features and functions of natural red blood cells, including flexibility and transport. oxygen gas.

The team created spherical polymer particles and coated a protein layer (including hemoglobin) of 7µm thick.

When the polymer core is removed, the remaining protein shell will have natural red blood cell-like properties.

They can stretch to squeeze through capillaries smaller than their diameter and return to disk shape when they leave capillaries.

These hemoglobin-coated particles can absorb oxygen in high concentrations and release oxygen at lower concentrations.

Synthetic red blood cells are capable of transporting drugs or contrast materials, opening many useful applications in diagnosis and treatment of diseases.