PROJECT TEAM
Nicco Krezdorn – professor, surgeon and researcher, ZUH
Marc Mueller – PhD, mechanical and biomedical engineer
THE NEED
There is a persistent shortage of blood. Not only is it difficult to collect enough blood – and the right blood types – there are also significant logistical challenges related to storage and transport.
The consequences are serious: surgeries are postponed or cancelled, patient pathways are prolonged, and hospital preparedness is strained – particularly in crisis-, disaster-, and wartime scenarios.
THE SOLUTION
BLUE is developing artificial blood that can transport oxygen in the body without the need for donors. The solution mimics red blood cells, enabling it to pass through small blood vessels. Oxygen transport occurs via hemoglobin – in the same manner as natural blood.
BLUE, Artificial Blood – Zealand University Hospital
Call 8 – 2025
GRANT: 500,000 DKK
Clinical Area
Trauma & Emergency Care
Technology
Artificial Blood
PROJECT SUMMARY
BLUE – Artificial Blood is part of BETA Cohort 8 and addresses a challenge affecting healthcare systems worldwide: the shortage of blood. Behind the project are Nicco Krezdorn, professor, surgeon and researcher, and PhD, mechanical and biomedical engineer Marc Mueller. Together, they are working to develop an artificial equivalent to blood with the potential to transform how hospitals handle surgeries, emergencies, and preparedness.
Personal motivation
For Nicco Krezdorn, the motivation is closely tied to his work as a surgeon. In the operating room, he can help one person at a time – but with artificial blood, the impact can scale dramatically. As he puts it:
“As a surgeon, I can only touch one life – one person – at a time. With artificial blood, we can touch thousands of lives every minute of every day.”
The team has been working on BLUE for two years and describes their time in BETA Cohort 8 as a process of receiving the right support to become self-enabled.
CLINICAL IMPACT
The potential is substantial: hospitals could become less dependent on blood donations, better equipped for emergency situations, and more resilient in planning surgeries and patient pathways.