Blood Types A, B Could Be Converted to Type O
Jack McGoughey
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Researchers have announced the finding of newly discovered enzymes that can be used to convert blood types A,B, and AB into O, the universal donor type.
The news, reported by the researchers Sunday, would allow blood transfusions to be safer and relieve shortages of type O blood. 
Blood types are based on the type of a molecule, called agglutinogen, found on the surface of red blood cells. Types A, B, or AB can clump together if mixed. Type O, on the other hand, does not react with the other blood types.
Over two decades ago researchers started testing the concept of removing the surface proteins on red blood cells in order to create universal blood cells, the report stated, which can be found in the online issue of Nature Biotechnology.
Findings from a trial in 200 showed that type B red blood cells could be converted into type O cells. These cells then survive normally when given to type A and O individuals. The usefulness of this technique was limited, however, due to the large amount of enzymes needed for the conversion.
The current study has Dr. Henrik Clausen, from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, and his colleagues, describing two previously unknown enzymes. Small amounts of these previously unknown enzymes are capable of efficiently removing the A and B agglutinogen.
"The enzymatic conversion processes we describe hold promise for achieving the goal of producing universal red blood cells, which would improve the blood supply while enhancing the safety of clinical transfusions," Clausen and his team said.
Previous studies of type O blood produced from Type B by a different method have shown to be safe and effective, and researchers are now conducting clinical trials.
At least half of all transfusion-related deaths are caused by mismatching of blood. The need for precisely matched blood has regional blood banks and hospitals constantly shuttling blood units between each other to match their requirements.
The news, reported by the researchers Sunday, would allow blood transfusions to be safer and relieve shortages of type O blood.
Blood Types A, B Could Be Converted to Type O
Blood types are based on the type of a molecule, called agglutinogen, found on the surface of red blood cells. Types A, B, or AB can clump together if mixed. Type O, on the other hand, does not react with the other blood types.
Over two decades ago researchers started testing the concept of removing the surface proteins on red blood cells in order to create universal blood cells, the report stated, which can be found in the online issue of Nature Biotechnology.
Findings from a trial in 200 showed that type B red blood cells could be converted into type O cells. These cells then survive normally when given to type A and O individuals. The usefulness of this technique was limited, however, due to the large amount of enzymes needed for the conversion.
The current study has Dr. Henrik Clausen, from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, and his colleagues, describing two previously unknown enzymes. Small amounts of these previously unknown enzymes are capable of efficiently removing the A and B agglutinogen.
"The enzymatic conversion processes we describe hold promise for achieving the goal of producing universal red blood cells, which would improve the blood supply while enhancing the safety of clinical transfusions," Clausen and his team said.
Previous studies of type O blood produced from Type B by a different method have shown to be safe and effective, and researchers are now conducting clinical trials.
At least half of all transfusion-related deaths are caused by mismatching of blood. The need for precisely matched blood has regional blood banks and hospitals constantly shuttling blood units between each other to match their requirements.