Blood for all

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BIOTECHNOLOGY
Blood for all
Nature Biotech. doi:10.1038/nbt1298 (2007)
Bacterial enzymes that efficiently convert blood from groups A, B and AB into the ‘universal’ O group may lead to safer blood transfusions.
Red blood cells from groups A, B and AB contain antigens that cause life-threatening reactions if transfused into people with a different blood group. Henrik Clausen of the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, Gerlind Sulzenbacher of the Universities of
Aix-Marseille, France, and their colleagues have identified two novel glycosidase enzymes that strip away these antigens. The enzyme-treated blood could then be used like group-O blood — group-O cells do not carry A or B antigens, so they can be safely given
to anyone. The technology now needs to be tested in clinical trials.