Lonely-Row-8726 t1_iumh1fz wrote
Is the practice of artificially growing and maturing Stem Cells into RBCs just cutting edge research or something currently doable on large scale?
UniversityofBath OP t1_iumnxwq wrote
Great question, thank you! It is both cutting edge and doable, however, currently it is expensive to mass produce them to be used in the clinic for blood transfusions. We can make a few millilitres in the lab, but existing technology does not support making 'units' of blood in a cost-effective manner (compared to donated blood costs). So you're correct - one of our key research aims is to design a 'bioreactor' technology that will make the red blood cell manufacturing process more efficient and hence cost-effective.
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