Scientists effectively convert group A and B blood into group O, which can be transmitted to anyone

Any two people can give blood to each other without caring about blood type.

We know that humans have 4 blood groups: A, B, AB and O. In particular, group O is considered the most precious source of blood because it can be transmitted to all 3 remaining blood groups.

Although 40% of the world's population has blood type O, the supply of blood is still deficient, especially in major rescue operations occurring after a natural disaster or war.

But recently, a team of scientists at the University of British Columbia announced a breakthrough that promises to solve this problem. They can exploit bacteria in the human gut to convert blood from groups A and B into group O blood.

Basically, this will help any two people transmit blood to each other without caring about their blood type anymore.

Scientists effectively convert group A and B blood into O groups that can be transmitted to anyone
The study has just been published in a conference of the American Chemical Society today. In particular, Professor Steve Withers from the University of British Columbia said an enzyme of the intestinal bacteria can convert blood group A, B into group O blood.

People have 4 blood groups: A, B, AB and O.

This conversion process is 30 times more efficient than the previous method, while still ensuring a low cost.

We know blood types marked by antigens attached to it. Group A blood has antigen A, group B has antigen B and group AB has both antigens. Meanwhile, group O blood has no antigens.

The principle of transfusion is that a person cannot receive blood with strange antigens into the body, because the immune system will destroy all blood cells with strange antigens, treating them as pathogens.

This means that AB group blood with both antigens will receive all other blood groups, but cannot pass on any blood group other than AB. In contrast, blood type O can be transmitted regardless of blood type, but can only be received from people with blood type O.

Ideally, we can remove all antigens associated with blood cells, turning all blood into an O group for prevention. This has been a dream for scientists for decades.

In 1982, a group of researchers found that an enzyme in coffee beans could remove B antigen and turn B-group blood into group O blood. Unfortunately, it only works under strict control conditions. tight and proved ineffective.

Last year, another group of scientists were able to produce group O blood by introducing the cancer gene into red blood cells. However, it seems that this idea is not safe at all, and the cost of this technique is also very large.

Interoperability of existing blood groups, but it can be removed in the near future.

"Other scientists have pursued the idea of ​​converting donated blood into the most common type (O group) for a long time, but they have yet to find selective and effective enzymes, as well as safe. and economic, " Professor Withers said.

To find more potential enzymes, he and his team used a technique called metagenomic .

"With metagenomic, you have to collect all the creatures and extract all their DNA mixed together," explained Professor Withers. "Creating a wide network allows us to sample the genes of millions of microorganisms without having to feed them [millions of times] individually".

Later, Professor Withers searched for enzymes coding for enzymes that could separate antigens A and B from the blood. Reversing one of these enzymes, he found it in our gut bacteria.

This enzyme can remove antigen A and B 30 from blood effectively compared to previous reports. It will turn all blood groups A and B into O-group blood. "This technique can break the boundaries of today's blood supply, because group O blood can be passed on to anyone , " said the professor. Withers said.

Now, the team will continue to check their blood transitions, to ensure there are no unintended consequences. They also need to look to clinical trials, before we can impart blood to each other without thinking, at least about the compatibility of blood groups.