Biochemical
and Biotechnology -
Nanotech For Red Blood Cells
Introduction
Japan plans to use nanotechnology
to produce red blood corpuscles, which are in short
supply for transfusions. Artificial red corpuscles,
which will be based on samples of donated blood, will
be almost the same as the real thing. The Ministry of
Economy, Trade and Industry is entrusting this project
to private companies with a view to putting artificially
created corpuscles to practical use within the next
several years. A red corpuscle contains proteins called
hemoglobin. Plans call for isolating hemoglobin from
donated blood and containing it in a lipid capsule.
The artificial corpuscle will measure
just 200 nm in a diameter and will carry oxygen as the
real corpuscles do. It will be made with substances
that do not trigger a negative reaction in the body.
The artificial corpuscle will be suitable for transfusions
for patients of all blood types and will have a shelf
life of up to two years. The total market for artificial
red corpuscles in Japan, North America and Europe is
expected to be worth an annual $ 1.2 billion in the
near future.
Contact for more
information
Science & Technology
Wing Embassy of India
2-2-11, Kudan Minami, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 102-0074, Japan
Tel: +81-3-3262-2391 to 97,
Fax: +81-3-3234-4866
E-mail:tandonus@hotmail.com
