04-08-2009, 03:56 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2007
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Synthetic hemoglobin
For those who may be averse to accepting a hemoglobin based oxygen carrier (HBOC) where the hemoglobin is taken from human or bovine red blood cells, there is the promise of an HBOC in which the hemoglobin is entirely synthetic.
Recombinant human hemoglobin
Baxter is working on a "next generation" hemoglobin-based oxygen carrying solution, which is produced using recombinant technology (vs. others that may be derived from human or animal red blood cells). To produce the recombinant hemoglobin therapeutic, the human gene responsible for producing hemoglobin is copied. For Baxter's new recombinant hemoglobin solution, this gene has been modified with the intent to enhance the stability and functionality of the hemoglobin therapeutic. This modification has the potential to reduce the side effects of the therapy. Copies of the gene are then inserted into the DNA of a highly controlled population of E. coli bacteria, where information encoded on the genes instructs the bacteria to produce hemoglobin. The recombinant hemoglobin solution is then collected and undergoes rigorous purification steps during its processing.
--- from The University of Pisa Bloodless Medicine Research web site: Blood substitutes
According to this source, the product is still in phase one clinical trials, so its release onto the market is probably some years away.
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