Soon, unlimited number of red blood cells can be created in lab

Researchers have identified a novel approach to create an unlimited number of human red blood cells and platelets in vitro.

The researchers from the Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM), Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) and Boston Medical Center (BMC), differentiated induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells into these cell types, which are typically obtained through blood donations.

This finding could potentially reduce the need for blood donations to treat patients requiring blood transfusions and could help researchers examine novel therapeutic targets to treat a variety of diseases, including sickle cell disease. The study was led by George J Murphy, PhD, assistant professor of medicine at BUSM and co-director of the Center for Regenerative Medicine (CReM) at Boston University and BMC and performed in collaboration with David Sherr, PhD, a professor in environmental health at BUSM and BUSPH.