Blood types A, B, AB turned into type O by researchers

(Winston-Salem Journal) - Danish researchers have perfected an inexpensive and efficient way to convert types A, B and AB blood into type O, the universal-donor blood that can be given to anyone - an achievement that promises to make transfusions safer and relieve shortages of type O blood.

The team reported yesterday in the journal Nature Biotechnology that they isolated bacterial enzymes that safely remove from red blood cells the sugar molecules that provoke an immune reaction in the recipient.

Previous studies of type O blood produced from type B by a different method have shown it to be safe and effective, and the researchers are now conducting clinical trials with the new product.