IIT Madras has been an epitome of innovation and research, but this time they have kept many awestruck with their production of 'artificial blood' from stem cells. A team scientists have also successfully tested the oxygen carrying capacity of the lab produced RBC. The reports are satisfactory and bulk production under the funding of the Union ministry of science and technology is to commence soon. Initially, the blood would be used on animals and further to successful trials maybe after the next three years it will be used on humans as well.

The achievement is phenomenal and would save many victim's lives. Many accident cases succumb due to inadequate stocks of the particular blood group. This would be avoided by the IIT M's initiative, express the proud team.

The team led by Dr Soma feels that within the next five years bulk quantities could be available through the process that has been gone in for patent review in the country. The research team would also like to apply for international patents as well. The production cost of the RBC is also less and bulk quantity could be availed in short time, as per the researchers who have not filed the papers in any science journal as that would affect their patent chances.

Also an interesting information compiled from the World Health Organization suggests that a minimum one percent of blood stocks are to be kept in a country based on the population. That means as per mathematics our nation needs about 12 million units of blood, but at the moment has only nine million units collected annually. (Wishesh AarKay)