Crocodile blood could help make artificial blood

Pioneering research being undertaken on crocodile blood to see if it can help in making artificial blood is revealed tomorrow in an innovative new, free, emailed, quarterly science magazine called Velocity.

Using a technique called nuclear magnetic resonance, ANSTO scientists Chris Garvey and Keri Hammerton, and their collaborators at the University of Sydney, are monitoring living crocodile blood cells without damaging them. Another nuclear science tool, unique to ANSTO in Australia, neutron scattering, lets Chris pinpoint haemoglobin inside the cells.

“The basic idea is to develop a solution that performs the functions of blood,” says Chris, “This includes carrying oxygen, without the added complexity of putting the haemoglobin protein molecules that do these jobs inside cells.

“One of the challenges we are yet to surmount is that human haemoglobin molecules outside red blood cells are toxic to the kidney,” Chris continued. “Another challenge is that neutron scattering work has shown croc haemoglobin can link together, forming chains too long to fit through human kidneys.”

The full article on the crocodile blood research can be read in Velocity and the September issue of Australasian Science. Put together by ANSTO, Velocity will feature science by a range of agencies and individuals and will highlight the collaborative nature of Australian science.

The first issue is released September 2, and features stories on mineral sands research by CSIRO, an avalanche prediction device, ANSTO’s replacement research reactor, an interactive exhibition at one of Australia’s premier science centres, Questacon, and radiopharmaceutical research.

Velocity has been welcomed by Australia’s Chief Scientist, Dr Robin Batterham, who said, “Velocity will showcase the diversity of Australian science and stimulate dialogue within the wider community.

“ANSTO is in a great position to communicate our Australian success stories. Its scientists frequently collaborate with both their Australian and their international peers on the innovative applications of nuclear science and technology to the benefit of all Australians.”

Velocity: Science in Motion can be subscribed to at http://velocity.ansto.gov.au