Microbes that have made human gut their home are providing solution to the global blood shortage. Blood transfusion is central to curing numerous diseases. However, due to the specific nature of blood groups , donors and recipients have to be matched. The sugars on the surface of the red-blood cells give our blood system different properties and can be essentially grouped as AB, A, B, and O (+/-). An individual with a type O is an universal donor while someone with type AB is an universal recipient. The others have to be properly matched. Recently, an enzyme isolated from the human gut microbiome has been found to successfully clip the sugars from the all blood groups, thus transforming them into type O, the universal donor. This technology will be able to provide blood to any individual in need and the blood banks world-wide will have a limitless supply of this life-saver. The amazing feat of the human gut-microbiome!!!
The human microbiome may provide a limitless blood supply
Bon Voyage Into the Microbial World