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Science & Technology

Romanian scientist develops artificial blood

By T.K. Randall
November 6, 2013 · Comment icon 21 comments

Volunteer donors keep the supply of blood for transfusion from running out. Image Credit: CC BY-SA 2.5 MartinD
Radu Silaghi-Dumitrescu has been working on creating a substance that can be used as a blood substitute.
Artificial organs have been becoming more and more sophisticated in recent years, but one thing that is still missing is a viable blood alternative. Despite appearances, blood performs a wide array of functions such as delivering oxygen around the body, fighting infections and healing injuries.

The blood used in transfusions is sourced from ordinary folk who take time out to donate some of their own blood for those who need it. While essential, donated blood has the potential for infection and needs to be stored carefully to keep it viable.
Professor Radu Silaghi-Dumitrescu is aiming to address all these issues by providing an unlimited source of substitute blood that is sterile and can be stored for long periods of time. At a research center in Transylvania (of all places) he recently tested out his latest concoction on some laboratory mice. The trial was a success, with the mice surviving for several hours with the artificial blood coursing through their veins.

While the research is still in its early stages, Prof Silaghi-Dumitrescu hopes to one day reach the point at which the substitute blood can be trialled in humans. "Tests on humans are an extra gentle subject," he said. "Authorization…represents a huge risk."

Source: Smithsonian | Comments (21)




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Recent comments on this story
Comment icon #12 Posted by Eldorado 11 years ago
It's about bleeding time!
Comment icon #13 Posted by Chooky88 11 years ago
Seriously, a dirt poor country like Romania coming up with this is great news. Beats them unloading their gypsies on the world :-)
Comment icon #14 Posted by qxcontinuum 11 years ago
Seriously, a dirt poor country like Romania coming up with this is great news. Beats them unloading their gypsies on the world :-) Lol dirt poor? You must be kidding. There even the poorest peasant is owning his own house and not paying rent. Romanian yearly revenue is bigger than Spain, Portugal or Greece altogether. Yes there are gypsies making our name shameful and nothing can be done about it since every country is yelling bringing up the human rights thing. Speaking of culture; you wont find a single Romanian farting in public or insight the stores like i see it done everyday in your cult... [More]
Comment icon #15 Posted by szentgyorgy 11 years ago
Lol dirt poor? You must be kidding. There even the poorest peasant is owning his own house and not paying rent. Romanian yearly revenue is bigger than Spain, Portugal or Greece altogether. Yes there are gypsies making our name shameful and nothing can be done about it since every country is yelling bringing up the human rights thing. Speaking of culture; you wont find a single Romanian farting in public or insight the stores like i see it done everyday in your culture and Romanians are amongst the best workers and fair honest people around. Anyway there is tons of stuff coming from Romania inc... [More]
Comment icon #16 Posted by YukiEsmaElite0 11 years ago
Romania? Past Transylvania? Vampires? I'm out!
Comment icon #17 Posted by Chooky88 11 years ago
Thanks for that. I have no issue with Romanians, just gypsies from any place really. Thanks for the insight into your great country. Sorry for my ignorance. Jason
Comment icon #18 Posted by KhanDoShijt Sensi 11 years ago
Lol dirt poor? You must be kidding. There even the poorest peasant is owning his own house and not paying rent. Romanian yearly revenue is bigger than Spain, Portugal or Greece altogether. Yes there are gypsies making our name shameful and nothing can be done about it since every country is yelling bringing up the human rights thing. Speaking of culture; you wont find a single Romanian farting in public or insight the stores like i see it done everyday in your culture and Romanians are amongst the best workers and fair honest people around. Anyway there is tons of stuff coming from Romania inc... [More]
Comment icon #19 Posted by Frank Merton 11 years ago
Romanians developing artificial blood does have a certain ghoulish flavor to it, but enough of that. What is the point? Is it for Jehovah's Witnesses? Is it for blood transfusion costs or something like that? I rather think the attack on the Romani is unfortunate and the Romanians do have a problem there that they need to address with a little less prejudice.
Comment icon #20 Posted by KhanDoShijt Sensi 11 years ago
Romanians developing artificial blood does have a certain ghoulish flavor to it, but enough of that. What is the point? Is it for Jehovah's Witnesses? Is it for blood transfusion costs or something like that? I rather think the attack on the Romani is unfortunate and the Romanians do have a problem there that they need to address with a little less prejudice. Artifical blood may have tons of application in the future, and I dont see nothing ghoulish about it. Actually it may encorage poor vampyres to finally coming out to open than always hiding in the shadow (a joke, sorry couldn resist). Jok... [More]
Comment icon #21 Posted by questionmark 11 years ago
Going back to the story (and leaving behind the bickering), the concept is not that new, about 5 years ago it was actually done successfully in one species: dogs.


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