A combinatorial approach to generate blood cells from hPSCs

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Blood transfusion is one of the most common clinical therapies and plays a critical role in prevention and management of many health conditions and diseases. Around 90 million red blood cell transfusions are carried out every year and this rising demand is dependent on a limited supply of healthy donors. The supply problem is compounded by other issues including transfusion transmitted infections, immune compatibility and the quality of the donated product. These problems could be solved by generating red blood cells in the laboratory from a limitless and infection-free source such as human pluripotent stem cells. Although possible, the process takes several weeks, is costly and the cells that are made are not fully mature. This project aims to develop improved culture protocols that reduce the time and cost, optimize the production of fully functional cell types and amenable to clinical standards and scaleup. We will perform the first large scale systematic assessment of culture conditions using Plasticell’s Combinatorial Cell Culture technology and pluripotent stem cell lines carrying fluorescent reporters that track red blood cell production. As well as transforming existing blood transfusion services, this new source of red blood cells would provide a much needed supply in developing countries.