French scientists from the Pierre and Marie Curie University in Paris have carried out the first blood transfusion obtained in a laboratory , according to the specialized journal Blood in its latest edition. Luc Douay and his colleagues extracted stem cells from the bone marrow of a volunteer, grew them in the laboratory until they became red blood cells, and then injected 10 billion of them back into the donor's marrow. Five days later, 94% of the injected cells were already circulating freely through the subject's body. Most importantly, they behaved like any other red blood cell, transporting oxygen to the tissues. "Survival in vivo demonstrates its quality and functionality" conclude the study authors.
The advance is great news, as it would be an inexhaustible source of blood reserves for transfusions , something especially necessary at a time when donations of this vital fluid are below demand.
