The research results of Professor Teruyuki Komatsu (Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering) were featured in a press release entitled Successful synthesis of a protein cluster which can carry oxygen—Expectations for clinical application as an artificial oxygen carrier (red blood cell substitute).

Overview:
The realization of artificial oxygen carriers (red blood cell substitutes) as an alternative to blood transfusion liquid is a priority issue in next-generation medicine. Although a variety of pharmaceutical preparations have been developed, problems with side-effects (increased blood pressure) and effectiveness have prevented practical application. Professor Komatsu’s research developed a cluster (hemoglobin-albumin) with a clear structure that is a fusion of hemoglobin with the serum protein albumin. In addition to clarifying details of this three-dimensional structure, the research demonstrated that the obtained preparation is capable of stably carrying oxygen under physiological conditions (pH 7.4, 37℃). The preparation is attracting attention as an artificial oxygen carrier which is easy to manufacture, has no side-effects, and can be used in clinical application.

The research results were released online (April 29th, 2013) as a Just Accepted Manuscript of the Biomacromolecules journal of the American Chemical Society. The official online version will be posted on May 15th.

Click on the links below for more information.

• Link: Successful synthesis of a protein cluster which can carry oxygen (Press release: PDF 478kb)
• Link: Komatsu Lab—Bioinorganic Chemistry
• Link: American Chemical Society ACS Publications