Immortal cells have the ability to produce infinite erythrocytes

British scientists successfully created an immortal cell, capable of producing infinite red blood cells, which helps reduce dependence on donated blood.

Researchers at the University of Bristol, UK have figured out how to turn adult stem cells into the world 's first "immortal" erythroid stem cell line, Business Insider reported yesterday. Erythroid is a specialized term for the process of creating red blood cells. They named it BEL - A stem cells .

Previously, researchers tried to directly convert stem cells into mature red blood cells, but the efficiency of this method was very low. Each stem cell produces only about 50,000 red blood cells before dying, while a normal blood storage bag in hospitals contains about 1,000 billion red blood cells.

BEL-A stem cells can reduce dependence on donated blood.(Photo: Krisana Sennok).

In the new method, adult stem cells are taken in the early stages of development, meaning they are able to divide and produce red blood cells forever without dying, ignoring the step of replacing new stem cells. .

These BEL-A cells are selected from donated blood with the sole goal of creating mature red blood cells.

"We have shown that there is a viable way to produce red blood cells for clinical use , " research leader Jan Frayne told the BBC.

"The most beneficiary patients are those who suffer from complex diseases such as sickle cell anemia or thalassemia anemia , which require multiple blood transfusions. This method does not replace blood donation but only provides award. Special treatment for specific patient groups , ' said Dave Anstee, director of the British National Health Research Institute for blood products and implants.

Tests that created red blood cells under the old methods will end at the end of 2017. According to the plan, the researchers will test BEL-A products on patients soon after. If you pass a clinical test, this method can create a revolution in blood transfusions.