Laboratory-grown blood cells: transfusion of the future

A group of blood researchers, led by Dr Cedric Ghevaert from the Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, are exploring new ways to produce red blood cells and platelets from stem cells in the laboratory.

These cells have the potential to revolutionise transfusion medicine, but what questions do the public and blood donors have for the scientists behind this pioneering work? Watch here for the answers.

Find out more about Cedric's research at https://www.stemcells.cam.ac.uk/resea...

With thanks to Cambridge Stem Cell Institute researchers Cedric Ghevaert, Amanda Dalby, Thomas Moreau, Amanda Evans, Annett Mueller, Momal Taimoor & Moyra Lawrence.

Topics:
00:00 - Introduction
00:47 - Blood cells and what they do
03:07 - We need more blood cells
04:19 - Lab-grown blood cells
05:00 - How lab-grown cells work
05:40 - Normal vs lab-grown cells
06:20 - Growing blood cells
07:00 - Possible uses
07:45 - Potential benefits
08:28 - Donating blood
09:17 - Is this cloning?
10:13 - Will cells be for sale?
11:05 - Acknowledgements