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Blood really does hold the life force for us. As we lose blood, we lose the ability effectively feed our cells and dispose of their waste. But transporting natural blood is difficult. It has a pretty short shelf life and must be refrigerated. Researchers at Sheffield University are working on a new plastic blood that would eliminate those barriers.
“The artificial blood is made of plastic molecules that hold an iron atom at their core, just like haemoglobin, that can bind oxygen and could transport it around the body. The small plastic molecules join together in a tree-like branching structure, with a size and shape very similar to that of natural haemoglobin molecules. This creates the right environment for the iron to bind oxygen in the lungs and release it in the body.”
The plastic blood could be carried around as a paste. Then when the situation called for blood, it could be reconstituted with water. Here, you need some Gatorade for your dehydration, let’s mix some blood while we’re at it. This would greatly increase portability and life for the stored plastic blood.
Dr Lance Twyman, from the Department of Chemistry at the University of Sheffield and who has been developing the artificial blood for the last five years, said: “We are very excited about the potential for this product and about the fact that this could save lives. Many people die from superficial wounds when they are trapped in an accident or are injured on the battlefield and can´t get blood before they get to hospital. This product can be stored a lot more easily than blood, meaning large quantities could be carried easily by ambulances and the armed forces.”
Source: The University of Sheffield
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