Synthetic Red Blood Cells Developed: Red-Blood-Cell-Like Particles Carry Oxygen, Drugs, and More
Scientists at UC Santa Barbara, in collaboration with scientists at University
of Michigan, have developed synthetic particles that closely mimic the characteristics and key functions of natural red blood cells, including softness, flexibility, and the ability to carry oxygen.
The primary function of natural red blood cells is to carry oxygen, and the synthetic red blood cells (sRBCs) do that very well, retaining 90% of their oxygen-binding capacity after a week. The sRBCs also, however, have been shown to deliver therapeutic drugs effectively and with controlled release, and to carry well-distributed contrast agents for enhanced resolution in diagnostic imaging.
of Michigan, have developed synthetic particles that closely mimic the characteristics and key functions of natural red blood cells, including softness, flexibility, and the ability to carry oxygen.
Biocompatible synthetic red blood cells (sRBCs) synthesized by the UCSB team,
where the shell is composed of alternate layers of hemoglobin and BSA.
(Scale bar, 5 microns). (Credit: Image courtesy of)
The primary function of natural red blood cells is to carry oxygen, and the synthetic red blood cells (sRBCs) do that very well, retaining 90% of their oxygen-binding capacity after a week. The sRBCs also, however, have been shown to deliver therapeutic drugs effectively and with controlled release, and to carry well-distributed contrast agents for enhanced resolution in diagnostic imaging.
