Lab-grown red blood cells
Production of Cultured Red Blood Cells
Making red blood cells from stem cells to provide reliable blood for transfusions and to help people with hard-to-match antibodies, such as some people with sickle cell disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Albert Einstein College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bronx, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11351002 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are using induced pluripotent stem cells and specific genetic changes to create self-renewing precursor cells that can be turned into mature, enucleated red blood cells. They plan to grow these cells at large scale using hollow-fiber bioreactors and will produce cells from a panel of donors. The team will analyze the cells’ shape, blood-group markers, and other properties to create reagent red cells for antibody identification and to evaluate potential for transfusion support. If successful, the project aims to make consistent, well-characterized red cells that can help resolve complex matching problems for patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults who need transfusions or people with sickle cell disease or other conditions who have developed alloantibodies and need better-matched blood are the main intended beneficiaries.
Not a fit: People without transfusion needs or whose blood is easily matched are unlikely to see direct benefits from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could provide well-matched or off-the-shelf red blood cells for people with difficult-to-match antibodies and reduce problems with transfusion compatibility.
How similar studies have performed: Lab-grown red blood cells have been produced in research labs and used as reagent cells, but making large numbers of fully mature, safe, and affordable cells for routine transfusion remains largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
Bronx, United States
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine — Bronx, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bouhassira, Eric E. — Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Bouhassira, Eric E.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.