Lab-Grown Blood: a Milestone for Transfusions

Researchers have created a way to grow universal red blood cells from stem cells, a breakthrough that could ease global blood shortages and save lives.

“We might produce in very large bioreactors, thousands of liters at a time … each one of these vessels will produce hundreds of blood units,” said Dr. Ari Gargir, founder of RedC Biotech, Israel.

The team’s method uses stem cells that mature into red blood cells inside bioreactors, producing blood compatible with all patients. This approach could fill critical supply gaps for hospitals, especially during emergencies or in low-resource areas. While clinical testing still lies ahead, the innovation points toward a future where blood for transfusions can be produced safely and on demand — giving health systems a powerful new tool to save lives.