News Chemistry

Sugar-cleaving molecule raises hope for universal blood

Enzyme from bacterium offers speed in making cells safer for transfusion

blood cell type enzyme

TYPE ALL  With engineering, a natural enzyme can better cut off some sugars that determine if a blood cell is type A, B or AB (as shown), resulting in a generic blood type that is safe for all people. 

D.H. Kwan et al/Journal of the American Chemical Society 2015

By Beth Mole

- More than 2 years ago

By tweaking an enzyme borrowed from a bacterium, researchers have taken a step closer to creating blood that is safe for transfusing to all people, regardless of their blood type — A, B, AB or O.