Artificial Blood

A major leap in medical science could be just a few years away. Researchers in Japan are developing an artificial blood product that might soon help ease global blood shortages—and potentially save countless lives.

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Scientists at Nara Medical University have begun clinical trials of a synthetic blood substitute, testing it on a small group of volunteers earlier this year. So far, there have been no serious side effects reported.

The experimental product uses hemoglobin extracted from expired donor blood. These molecules are wrapped in protective lipid layers, mimicking the function of red blood cells by delivering oxygen throughout the body. Unlike natural blood, though, this synthetic version doesn’t need to match a patient’s blood type—making it universally compatible, much like Type O-negative blood.

One of the most promising aspects of the artificial blood is its shelf life. While conventional blood expires after about 42 days, the lab-made version can be stored for up to two years, offering a major advantage for hospitals, emergency responders, and regions with limited access to blood donations.

If trials continue to go well, Nara Medical University hopes to make artificial blood widely available by the end of the decade. The innovation could be particularly transformative for under-resourced countries, where blood shortages remain a constant challenge.

As scientists push forward with testing, the world watches—hoping that a longer-lasting, universally usable blood supply might soon become a reality.