Respirocytes & Erythrocytes

Mimicking the functions of the red blood cell

Blood transfusion has saved countless lives, however, the need for matching blood type, short blood shelf life, and possible contamination are still major concerns of blood transfusion. An understanding of blood function based on the biochemistry and molecule structures has prompted a search for blood substitutes. Blood consists of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets floating in plasma. Each of these components has specific functions. Red blood cells, or erythrocytes, are responsible for oxygen binding and releasing. Its functions can be mimicked through miniature micro-robots, or respirocytes, which are fabricated using nanotechnology.

Related Terms
Respirocytes, erythrocytes, erythropoietin (EPO), hemoglobin, quaternary protein, glycophorins, heme group, transport protein, erythropoiesis, tensed/relaxed states, homeostasis, anemia, red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, platelets, nanotechnology, allosteric protein, ligand, integral protein, peptide bond, disulfide bond, α-chains, β-chains

Respirocyte Design

Quantitative Analysis

Hemoglobin Functions & Mechanisms

Erythrocytes mainly consists of hemoglobin, or a quaternary protein structure containing heme groups with iron atoms that temporarily link to oxygen molecules and release them throughout the body. Hemoglobin also links to waste products such as carbon dioxide, which are released from the body through exhale of the lungs. A typical erythrocyte contains about 270 million hemoglobin molecules, with each molecule carrying four heme groups.

To investigate the life cycle of a erythrocyte, it is critical to know that 2.5 million erythrocytes are destroyed every second. These cells must be replaced in order to maintain homeostasis. The process of producing new red blood cells is known as erythropoiesis, which takes approximately 4 days. Factors that determine production of erythrocytes include bone marrow health, amount of exercise, hemolytic diseases, presence of erythropoietin, and hemoglobin levels.

Due to shortage of blood supply and risks involved in blood transfusion, research has been conducted to discover alternative pathways of substituting blood. If the outcome is successful, not only are current issues associated with blood supply would be addressed, but patients suffering from blood related diseases are also less vulnerable to life. Click to see potential respirocyte design proposal.