Salihu (Oyiza) Asimawu: What If Blood Could Be Prepared in the Lab?
Salihu (Oyiza) Asimawu, Medical Laboratory Science Student and Research and Innovation Enthusiast at Ahmadu Bello University, shared a post on LinkedIn:
”What if blood could be prepared in the lab?
During my hematology lab posting at the cross-matching bench, I witnessed a situation that made me reflect deeply on innovation in healthcare. A patient required blood, but there was no exact match available in the blood bank. O-negative was in stock, yet the lab manager hesitated to release it immediately, as it is rare and may be urgently needed for another patient.
That moment sparked a discussion between a colleague and me: What if blood could be produced in the laboratory? What if bioengineered blood could reduce the constant pressure around scarce blood groups like O-negative?
We went on to ask a scientist about the possibility. He explained that while fully functional, clinically available lab-produced blood is not yet widely established, researchers have developed experimental red blood cells and oxygen-carrying substitutes that can mimic certain supplementary functions of blood.
Exploring further, I learned that although bioengineered blood vessels and some blood substitutes have been developed, fully functional lab-produced blood remains largely theoretical. Blood is not just red cells—it includes plasma, platelets, clotting factors, antibodies, and precise ABO/Rh antigens. Replicating all these components accurately makes it an incredibly complex scientific challenge.
This experience highlighted the vast potential for research and innovation in transfusion medicine and diagnostics. It strengthened my curiosity about contributing to solutions that could improve patient care and healthcare accessibility.”
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