Hi Reddit, We are Sandhya, David and Chan. Our research aim is to design special vessels, known as bioreactors to grow human cells outside the body. Currently, we are trying to grow stem cells that can turn into red blood cells (RBCs).

Blood is essential for medical emergencies, treating certain types of cancer and RBC diseases. >118 million units of blood is collected annually, worldwide, however there is still a global shortage of blood for transfusions. For instance, every 2 seconds, someone in the UK needs blood, but, only 4% of the population regularly donate. Our research vision is to grow RBCs in the lab to address this shortage. We are designing what are known as fluidized bed bioreactors for growing stem cells and maturing them into RBCs. The design of these bioreactors allow efficient transport of expensive nutrients reducing the cost of growing RBC's. Eventually, after clinical trials to ensure quality and safety of the manufactured RBCs we can use them in patients. Please ask us anything about our engineering approaches for RBC manufacture.

Proof: Here's my proof!

Thank you for all the great questions, we will be heading off in the next couple of minutes but we will try and and answer as many questions as we can before that. Please do leave you feedback here https://www.menti.com/alsm1ao6jy3h/0 Thanks again!