The ambitious SynEry project
Dr. Xevi Casadevall, a brilliant biotechnology researcher, leads the European SynEry project, a bold initiative that aims to revolutionize medicine through the creation of synthetic red blood cells. This project, funded by the European Union with more than 3 million euros, brings together a team of 20 researchers from Belgium, France, Italy and Catalonia.
The goal: create blood without blood
The main goal of the SynEry project is to develop an artificial cell that mimics the functions of natural red blood cells, but without using human blood. To do this, researchers use basic elements such as proteins and lipids, obtained from alternative sources, and combine them to create a structure similar to that of an erythrocyte.
Cutting-edge technology
The research team uses advanced micro- and nanoscale technology to overcome the challenges of creating these artificial cells. For example, Dr. Casadevall’s group is focused on developing techniques to generate the vesicles found on the outer membrane of red blood cells, a complex task that requires precise orientation and distribution.
Crucial collaborations
The Barcelona Materials Science Institute plays a fundamental role in the SynEry project. Dr. Arancha González Campo brings her experience in biofunctionalization to develop nanotechnology that allows creating more complex vesicles. Other collaborators contribute with different types of skeletons that will be inserted into the artificial erythrocytes to guarantee their stability.
Towards a promising future
The SynEry project began in 2022 and has a period of four years to demonstrate the viability of artificial erythrocytes. Dr. Casadevall hopes that, at the end of the project, there will be at least one artificial erythrocyte capable of performing basic functions, such as stimulating the vasculature.
Potential applications
Artificial erythrocytes have the potential to transform medicine. They could be used for transfusions in emergency situations, where compatible blood is scarce. They could also improve treatments for diseases such as anemia and malaria, which affect millions of people around the world.
When will artificial blood be available?
Dr. Casadevall recognizes that the availability of artificial blood on the market is still far away. Numerous trials and tests are required before it can be approved for use in patients. However, the progress made in the SynEry project offers hope for the future of medicine and the possibility of improving the health and well-being of countless people.
The journey of Dr. Casadevall
Dr. Xevi Casadevall, born in Girona in 1978, is an exceptional researcher who has dedicated his career to biotechnology and nanobiotechnology. His passion for the miniaturization of mechanical and electronic systems for biological applications has led him to work at prestigious institutions around the world, such as the University of California Irvine, Imperial College London and the University of Zurich.
From Catalonia to Belgium
After studying at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, Dr. Casadevall obtained a scholarship to study in the United States, where he completed a master’s degree and a doctorate. Subsequently, he moved to Belgium, where he is currently professor of nanobiotechnology at KU Leuven.
Will you return to Catalonia?
Dr. Casadevall has tried on several occasions to return to Catalonia, but difficulties in finding a suitable position have deterred him. Currently, he has no plans to return, but he recognizes that conditions could change in the future.