Artificial Blood: Japan’s Innovative Solution to Global Shortages
For years, transfusion centers worldwide have warned of dwindling blood supplies. In France, the French Blood Establishment (EFS) estimates a need for about 10,000 donations daily to meet national demands. From the Pandemic of Covid-19, blood donations have dropped
, reaching critical levels repeatedly.
Did you no? The aging population contributes to this crisis, increasing the demand for transfusions while simultaneously reducing the pool of potential donors.
This situation has led to recurring voltages on stocks
. In response,Japan is pioneering a novel approach: manufacturing universal artificial human blood. Two research teams are actively developing artificial blood, each employing unique methods.
Blood Made in the Laboratory: Science Fiction or Scientific Reality?
In Nara, Promising Hemoglobin Vesicles
Professor Hiromi Sakai, at the University of Nara, has engineered a synthetic blood by encapsulating human hemoglobin (sourced from pockets unusable for public transfusion) within an artificial membrane. This “hemoglobin vesicle” is designed to transport oxygen throughout the body, mimicking natural blood, and is compatible with all blood types.
Clinical trials began in March 2025 with ten healthy volunteers. According to Jim.fr, initial results show no serious side effects.
In Tokyo,Another Method Sees Red…or Purple
At Chuo University in Tokyo, Professor Teruyuki Komatsu is pursuing a different approach. His team encapsulates hemoglobin in albumin molecules (a plasma protein) to enhance stability and tolerance.
A notable characteristic of this version is its purple hue.Though,it effectively transports oxygen and maintains blood pressure in laboratory animals.
So, Universal Artificial Blood Soon?
Not Tomorrow, But on the Right Path
The primary goal is to create a product compatible with all blood groups
, especially for emergency situations.This would eliminate the need for compatibility tests and prevent transfusion errors.
Pro Tip: Artificial blood offers a notable advantage in storage. It can be stored for up to two years at room temperature or five years if frozen, far exceeding the six-week lifespan of human blood.
This extended shelf life is invaluable for war zones, natural disaster areas, and isolated regions lacking access to transfusion centers.
Why Isn’t It Used Yet?
The technology is still in the testing phase.Before widespread use, artificial human blood must prove its effectiveness, safety, and reproducibility. Researchers must also ensure it does not trigger immune reactions or long-term side effects. If all goes well,deployment is anticipated by 2030. While ambitious, this timeline is not unrealistic. This artificial blood could revolutionize medical practices.
In a world faced with health crises
, natural disasters, and a globally aging population, a readily available substitute for human blood, produced in the laboratory and usable without constraint, would represent a major medical advance.
According to the French blood establishment, the red blood cells from human donations only keep 42 days on average, and the platelets only 5 days.This very short lifespan complicates inventory management, accentuating dependence on regular gifts and shortages.
French Blood Establishment
