Fast and Easy Test Could Revolutionize Blood Transfusions

Blood transfusions are a cornerstone of modern medicine, yet red blood cells can deteriorate quietly while sitting in cold storage for weeks. Although blood units have a fixed expiration date, cells from different donors age at different rates, which can affect how well transfusions work, especially in vulnerable patients. Researchers have now developed a fast, chip-based test that can rapidly evaluate red blood cell quality after storage, offering a potential new tool to better manage blood supplies.

The test, developed through a collaboration between the University of Colorado Boulder (Boulder, CO) and the University of Colorado Anschutz (Aurora, CO), fits on a single microchip and is designed to deliver results in about two minutes. The device, called a surface acoustic wave hemolysis assay, uses vibrations generated on a lithium niobate wafer to mechanically stress red blood cells. As the cells heat up and rupture, the system captures information that reflects membrane strength and overall cell health.

In laboratory tests using donor red blood cells, the researchers observed that some samples hemolyzed at lower temperatures than others. These samples also showed distinct metabolite patterns previously linked to aging red blood cells. The findings, published in Lab on a Chip, suggest that older or more fragile cells break down faster under acoustic stress, making the method a potential indicator of blood quality after storage.

If validated further, the chip-based test could help blood centers allocate higher-quality units to patients who need them most, such as children or individuals with conditions like sickle cell disease who require frequent transfusions. It may also reduce waste by improving decision-making around stored blood. In addition to transfusion medicine, the researchers believe similar lab-on-a-chip systems could be adapted to screen for blood-related diseases or monitor protein and metabolite changes linked to various health conditions.

“Our vision is to have a chip the size of a dime that you can plug into your cell phone,” said Associate Professor Xiaoyun Ding, senior author of the study. “It could use your phone’s camera and an app to read out the results in just two minutes.”

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University of Colorado Boulder
University of Colorado Anschutz