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Japan has developed the world’s first artificial blood that can be administered to any blood type.

According to the Japanese media such as NHK on the 6th, Professor Hiromichi Sakai’s research team at Nara Prefectural University of Medicine in Japan announced on the 2nd of this month, “We have succeeded in developing the artificial blood that can be transfused to all patients.”

The color of the artificial blood developed and presented is purple due tothe special process performed on hemoglobin which is red, in the red cells that carry oxygen.

In general, red blood cells must be kept refrigerated and can only be stored for up to 4 weeks, but artificial blood can be stored for about 2 years at room temperature and up to 5 years when refrigerated.

The biggest advantage of this new development is that anyone can receive the artificial blood regardless of the blood type.

Professor Hiromichi Sakai of Nara Prefectural Medical University emphasized, “The red blood cell membrane is removed during the hemoglobin production process, so there is no blood group antigen,” and he further added, “It will contribute to human health and welfare.”

Blood group antigens are present on the red blood cell membrane, and when that membrane is removed, these antigens also disappear.

This phenomenon mainly occurs during the artificial production or use of hemoglobin.

Therefore, the hemoglobin produced through this process can be used regardless of blood type, avoiding blood type-related rejection reactions.

Commencing next year, the researchers plan to conduct a clinical trial to confirm the safety and effectiveness of their artificial blood by actually administering it to a test group of 16 people.

Afterwards, they aim to commercialize it within 10 years by increasing the number of recipients.

With the development of this new artificial blood, experts are estimating a new step of medical treatment such as blood transfusion.

The removal of blood group antigens during artificial hemoglobin production can have significant impacts on the medical field.

One such impact is that it will allow for transfusions without blood type matching, reducing complications and improving emergency care.

This advancement stabilizes the blood supply and lowers medical costs by eliminating the need for extensive blood type testing and reducing treatment expenses related to blood type incompatibility.

Overall, this can enhance the efficiency of the healthcare system and improve patient outcomes.

If rapid blood loss occurs(less than a few hours), loss of even one-third of the blood volume can be fatal.

In the United States, it is estimated that more than 60,000 deaths are due to blood loss and 1.5 million deaths occur worldwide each year, resulting in nearly 75 million of life lost.

Experts remain optimistic that the development of artificial blood will help solve the problem of blood shortages caused by the decline in blood donations among young people in Japanese society and the aging society.

In fact, according to the Osaka Red Cross in Japan, in blood transfusion statistics by age group last year, people in their 30s or older accounted for 82% while those 20s or younger accounted for only 18%, and it is even known to be decreasing.

Experts are looking forward to solving these blood issues with the new artificial blood.