Bioreactors Might Solve Blood-platelet Supply Problems
Saturday, December 27, 2008 - 22:42
in Health & Medicine
It might be possible to grow human blood platelets in the laboratory for transfusion, according to a new study. The findings might help end the tight supply of these critical blood components. Platelets are needed by certain cancer patients, bone marrow transplant patients, those needing massive blood transfusions and people with aplastic anemia. But concentrates from donors are expensive and up to 40 percent must be discarded.