Human volunteers have received the first-ever transfusion of lab grown red blood cells in a groundbreaking scientific first. Volunteers received about 5ml-10ml of blood (around 1-2 teaspoons), which contained around 15 billion red blood cells. So far, volunteers who received the lab-grown blood cells are reported to be in good health.
To grow these red blood cells, researchers first extracted stem cells from a blood sample. They then directed these stem cells to grow into red blood cells in the laboratory. It’s hoped that these lab-grown blood cells may be used in the treatment of disorders that affect red blood cells – such as sickle cell anaemia and thalassemia.
