Name: Michelle Jansman
Project Title: Assembly and characterization of red blood cells substitutes
Group: Biomimetics, Biocarriers and Bioimplants
Supervisors: Leticia Hosta-Rigau, Thomas L. Andresen
Project Description:
In this PhD project, the aim is to synthesize and characterize novel red blood cells (RBCs) substitutes. The main component is hemoglobin, a RBC protein which function is to carry oxygen from the lungs to the tissues. Additional enzymes and surface modifications are explored to improve functionality and compatibility of the system.
Perspective:
The usage of blood transfusion is regarded as a safe procedure. However, in case of trauma or acute disaster (e.g., earthquakes), there is no time for screening for blood type and the presence of pathogens. Furthermore, there is limited availability of fresh donor blood. Therefore, there is a need for RBCs substitutes that are universally compatible, have oxygen-carrying capacity for several hours, and have long-time storage stability.