Red blood cells grown in a laboratory have been transfused into a person in a world first clinical trial.
Scientists say that if proved safe and effective, manufactured blood cells could revolutionise treatments for people with blood disorders, such as sickle cell and rare blood types. It can be difficult to find enough well-matched donated blood for some people with these disorders.
But lab-grown red blood cells would mean people who require regular long-term blood transfusions could need fewer transfusions in the future. Ashley Toye, professor of cell biology at the University of Bristol and Director of the NIHR Blood and Transplant Unit in red cell products, said: “This challenging and exciting trial is a huge stepping stone for manufacturing blood from stem cells.
