Blood groups 'can be converted'

Scientists have developed a way of converting one blood group into another. The technique potentially enables blood from groups A, B and AB to be converted into group O, which can be safely transplanted into any patient.

The method, which makes use of newly discovered enzymes, may help relieve shortages of blood for transfusions. The new technique works by using bacterial enzymes to cut sugar molecules from the surface of red blood cells.

After a search of 2,500 fungi and bacteria the researchers discovered two bacteria—Elizabethkingia meningosepticum and Bacterioides fragilis—which contained potentially useful enzymes. They found that enzymes from both bacteria were able to remove both A and B antigens from red blood cells.

Read full story in BBC News.