Using enzymes produced by a bacteria that almost everyone has in their gut, researchers have removed the antigens from red blood cells that determine blood type, putting us within reach of producing universal donor blood.

“Researchers at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and Lund University, Sweden, have used enzymes produced by a common gut bacteria to remove the A and B antigens from red blood cells, bringing them one step closer to creating universal donor blood.”

  • @ParabolicMotion
    4•7 months ago

    So, is it truly universal; making the blood like O-? Or does the blood still have the Rhesus factor if it is from an rh+ donor? I would want to know this as a person who can only receive O-.

    • @[email protected]English
      12•7 months ago

      The part where they say it removes A and B bringing them “one step” closer seems to imply other steps still needed, I’m guessing that’s a reference to rh.