Nicky Twilley

Nicky Twilley, a reporter at The New Yorker and host of the Gastropod podcast, dives into the fascinating world of artificial blood. She discusses the dire need for blood alternatives due to its short shelf life, especially in emergencies. The podcast highlights breakthroughs like erythrimer, a promising synthetic blood substitute showing remarkable recovery in animal tests. Twilley also explores the cultural significance of blood and the historical journey of blood transfusions, shedding light on the relationship between culinary advancements and medical innovation.

Nicky Twilley, a reporter for The New Yorker and host of the Gastropod podcast, dives into the revolutionary field of artificial blood. The discussion reveals the pressing need for synthetic blood alternatives to address blood supply challenges, particularly in emergencies. Twilley highlights promising advancements in synthetic red blood cells, like erythrimer, which could save thousands of lives annually. The podcast also touches on the cultural significance of blood and the hurdles faced in biomedical innovations, making for a thought-provoking exploration of life-saving technology.