Roger
on April 8, 2025
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Scientists figured out how to convert any blood into the universal Type O — this could make blood types obsolete!
To achieve this, scientists at the University of British Columbia used enzymes obtained from bacteria present in the human gut to eliminate antigens from AB, A, and B blood, transforming it into type O.
By using metagenomics, the team was able to separate bacterial genomes from the gut and test thousands of enzymes against A and B antigens.
The researchers identified an enzyme that could remove A antigens from red blood cells and combined it with another enzyme that removes B antigens, offering a way to convert AB, A, and B blood into type O. Nonetheless, the team needs to examine the converted blood in a living organism as unforeseen issues may arise. O negative blood type is relatively rare compared to the other blood types. It is only present in 1 out of 15 individuals.
People with such blood groups can donate blood to anyone with any blood type. Receiving blood from the wrong ABO group can trigger an immune response.
This method has the potential to address the persistent shortage of blood globally and could revolutionize blood donation and transfusion.
https://www.msl.ubc.ca/new-blood-ubc-researchers-develop-process-that-could-make-blood-types-obsolete/
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