Australian researchers aim to mass-produce lab-grown blood for ultra-rare types

During her pregnancy, Bhabisara Gharti Magar learned she has the Para-Bombay blood type, a subset of the Bombay group that is virtually unknown to most. Facing potential emergency needs, she was advised to store her own blood, though she ultimately did not require it. University of Queensland biomedical engineer Mark Allenby explained that while fully functional red cells can be cultured, producing a single blood bag currently demands a tennis-court-sized array of flasks and costs over $70,000.

Lifeblood researcher Becky Griffiths, with 25 years in the field, likened one outlet method to an outdated Nokia phone and urged a shift to more advanced, smartphone-like techniques. The partnership, supported by a $2.5 million investment from SMART CRC, aims to create high-density scaffolding that reduces nutrient costs and accelerates production. Although lab-grown blood will not replace donations, it could dramatically improve care for those with rare blood types, neonates, and chronic transfusion patients. Gharti Magar expressed hope that such technology would offer reassurance to others in her situation.