The huge jump in the mass production of platelets

platelet

Scientists have made a significant step towards the mass production of platelets - a part of the blood that forms clots.

NHS and Cambridge University team found the body how to grow plants in the laboratory of platelets.

This can provide a new source of platelets to stop severe bleeding, e.g., after a car accident.

However, researchers should make this process more efficient before beginning the test.

When you donate blood, it is separated into red blood cells, plasma and platelets in such patients are given only the component they need.

Platelets are necessary after trauma, surgery, and therapy of leukemia in certain blood diseases such as hemophilia.

"We are completely dependent on blood donation, to produce the blood platelets," said Dr. Cedric Ghevaert, consultant haematologist.

His team is trying to grow megakaryocytes - platelet parent cells that live in your bone marrow and the production of clotting platelets.

Their breakthrough, reported in the journal Nature Communications, was the discovery of a multitude of chemical switches needed to build megakaryocytes in the laboratory.

Dr. Ghevaert described their results as "an important step forward" and said BBC News website that "the next big step is to get a sufficient amount of platelets from megakaryocytes of each."

The cells produce the laboratory produce about 10 plates each. But each of them is working properly in the bone marrow will produce up to 2,000 people.

Hopefully, that recreate the same conditions as in the bone marrow can make cells more efficient.

When researchers have successfully, the platelets are grown in the laboratory would be more useful than those collected in the blood.

Dr. Ghevaert added: "We can change the platelets so that they can cause clotting, even better, that will have a huge advantage applies to patients who have had an accident or seepage, or even soldiers who have been wounded."

It may also allow physicians to have arsenals configured for different patients. Platelets in various forms in the same way as red blood cells come into A, B, O and AB.

Some types of platelet, particularly common in black and Asian ethnic groups are relatively rare.