Scientists seek to end blood shortages

London: Scientists have developed a simple method of converting blood from one group to another.

The breakthrough could potentially mean the end of blood shortages by boosting supplies of group O negative blood, which can be given to anyone.

Writing in Nature Biotechnology, an international team of researchers described how they converted blood from group A, B or AB to group O. The process uses bacterial enzymes to cut sugar molecules from the surface of red blood cells. Giving patients the wrong blood may even result in death.

People in groups A and B have blood containing one of two sugar molecules which can trigger an immune response. Those in group O have neither. Patient trials will have to take place before group O blood produced by the conversion method can be used in hospitals.