Update on Synthetic Hemoglobin - the Unlikely Hero of Sea Worms - Potential Applications in Organ Transplants, Blood Transfusions
🌊 A recent development in the field of organ transplantation is making waves, and it's all thanks to an unlikely source — sea worms. Scientists at Hemarina, a French biotech company, are exploring the potential of these creatures in improving transplant success rates.
🧬 Why Sea Worms? It turns out, sea worms have a unique ability to bind forty times more oxygen than our hemoglobins. This is due to a giant hemoglobin molecule that allows them to survive both underwater and in the air by conserving oxygen and releasing it slowly.
🧪 Hemarina's "Hemo 2 Life product" is currently undergoing tests for potential applications in organ transplants, blood transfusions, and even dental products.
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Update on Synthetic Hemoglobin
In the realm of synthetic hemoglobin, 2023 has brought some significant advancements:
1. Clinical Progress: Hb-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) are now seeing clinical applications, not only as blood substitutes but also in tumor therapy, wound healing, and anti-inflammation therapy.
2. Chemical Modifications: Advances in the chemical modification of hemoglobin are opening new possibilities, especially in situations where traditional blood transfusions aren't viable.
3. Recombinant Hemoglobin: The field of synthetic biology and metabolic engineering is contributing to the advancement of recombinant hemoglobin production. Despite challenges in productivity and scale-up, this area holds great promise for the future of medical treatments.
References:
1. Euronews article on sea worms and organ transplantation: https://lnkd.in/eebhEqtt -
2. Recent advances in Hb-based oxygen carriers and their applications https://lnkd.in/eXtCyd4Q.
#Anemia #MedicalResearch #Innovation #Healthcare