What's Your Problem? Reinventing Blood
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Aug 7, 2025 Dr. Allan Doctor, co-founder of Kalocyte and a professor at the University of Maryland, dives into the groundbreaking world of dried red blood cells that can revolutionize medical emergencies. He unpacks the complex science behind artificial blood, the history and risks of blood substitutes, and the role of novel technologies like lipid nanoparticles. Learn about the challenges in creating artificial red blood cells and how these advancements could save millions of lives by enhancing medical responses in critical situations.
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Blood Storage Limits Trauma Care
- Blood's shelf-life and transport challenges delay urgent care in trauma cases.
- Simplifying blood storage and delivery can save millions in emergencies.
Unencapsulated Hemoglobin Is Harmful
- Naked hemoglobin in bloodstream causes blood vessels to mostly close.
- This unexpected reaction led to heart attacks and strokes in early hemoglobin transfusion trials.
Fat Droplets Mimic Red Cells
- In 2010, bioengineer Dupanjan Pan developed fat droplets that resembled red blood cells.
- His accidental discovery led to collaboration to encapsulate hemoglobin safely.