Enzymes from the gut microbiome can convert Type A blood to universal O-type blood

The Withers lab have found a set of enzymes in the human gut microbiome called Flavonifractor plautii, that can remove the A and B type sugar antigens in human red blood cells. Meaning, these enzymes can change type A blood to the universal O-type and could potentially broaden the supply of blood. Peter Rahfeld, first author of the paper, and Dr. Stephen Withers, corresponding author, and their colleagues reported these findings in Nature Microbiology.

Peter Rahfeld was also interviewed about his research and the potential impact of the discovery on Global BC. See his interview in the video below. 

This work was funded by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research.

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This research was also highlighted on the Nature Microbiology website in an article called, “An enzymatic pathway in the human gut microbiome that converts A to universal O type blood“.

This research was also highlighted on the Science website in an article called, “Type A blood converted to universal donor blood with help from bacterial enzymes“.

This research was also highlighted on the European Science website in an article called, “Enzymes from gut bacteria can convert Type A blood to ‘universal“.

This research was also highlighted on the Futurism website in an article called, “Study: Gut microbes transform Type A into universal donor blood“.

This research was also highlighted on the Science in the City website in an article called, “An Enzymatic Pathway in the Human Gut Microbiome that Converts A to Universal O Type Blood“.

This research was also highlighted on the Massive Science website in an article called, “Bacteria from our guts have the tools to solve blood bank shortages“.

This research was also highlighted on the Massive Science website in an article called, “Bacteria from our guts have the tools to solve blood bank shortages“.