Whale protein puts researchers on path to developing synthetic blood

[AussieNeil]

Researchers at Rice University have discovered that a protein found in whale meat may hold the key to developing synthetic blood. The protein, called myoglobin, allows marine mammals to remain submerged at great depths for up to two hours and has an ultra-stable structure that could one day allow for the manufacturing of a blood substitute using bacteria as biofactories."

An interesting read that gives you an idea of why making synthetic blood to transport oxygen is so very difficult:

gizmag.com/whale-myoblobin-...

And that's without considering platelets for clotting, white blood cells for fighting infection and all the myriad other components of a very complex fluid that keeps all our body cells living by supplying nutrients and transferring waste products for recycling in the liver and kidneys...

Neil

Photo: Nankeen Night Heron