Biosynthetic blood surrogates: Current status and future opportunities

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Hematology
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Blood transfusion is critical but faces donor shortages, infection risks, and logistical challenges.
• Current research explores pathogen reduction, improved storage, and in vitro blood cell production.
• Synthetic blood surrogates are being developed to mimic blood functions and address limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review biomaterials-based approaches for synthetic blood surrogates.
• To highlight the design, applications, and challenges of these engineered blood components.
• To discuss future opportunities in the field of artificial blood.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on biomaterials for blood surrogates.
• Analysis of engineered red blood cell (RBC), platelet, and white blood cell (WBC) mimics.
• Examination of methods for plasma and coagulation factor isolation and preservation.

Main Results:

• Significant progress in developing RBC surrogates for oxygen transport and platelet surrogates for hemostasis.
• Limited efforts in creating WBC mimics.
• Development of techniques for plasma processing, including freeze-drying and spray-drying for enhanced stability.

Conclusions:

• Biomaterials engineering offers viable alternatives to donor-derived blood products.
• Synthetic blood surrogates can address critical challenges in transfusion medicine.
• Further research is needed to overcome limitations and expand applications of engineered blood components.