Red blood cells that help stop severe internal bleeding
Hemostatic erythrocytes for acute non-compressible hemorrhage
Researchers are creating modified red blood cells that stick to injured vessels and clots to slow or stop dangerous non-compressible bleeding for people with severe traumatic blood loss.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11291284 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team will attach targets to donated red blood cells so they bind to exposed collagen and fibrin at injury sites. First they will test how well these cells stick and help clot in lab tests using clot-strength and flow measurements. Next they will measure circulation time and whether the modified cells plug bleeding in an animal model. These steps are to show the approach could buy time for surgery and resuscitation in severe internal bleeding.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: In later human testing, people with severe non-compressible traumatic bleeding or at high risk for such injuries would be the most likely candidates.
Not a fit: People with bleeding that can be controlled with external pressure, or those in whom altered red blood cells are unsafe (for example due to certain immune reactions), may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could become a fast way to control life-threatening internal bleeding and improve survival until surgery or other care.
How similar studies have performed: This is a novel emergency-medicine approach, though prior lab work shows red blood cells can be modified and the idea has not yet been tested in humans.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- University of Colorado Denver — Aurora, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Simberg, Dmitri — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Simberg, Dmitri
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.