The ex vivo production of red cells for transfusion has been a clinical goal for many years, with recent proof-of-principle studies suggesting the feasibility of producing red cells in culture with in vivo survival rates comparable to classical transfusion products. Still, challenges remain in identifying the optimal source of stem cells, and there is a need for basic understanding of erythroid development for optimization of culture conditions and large-scale production of functional products that can be transfused to the recipient.

Dr. Abbot did not consent to presentation capturing and recording.