Department of Defense seeking to alter servicemember’s blood with electrical fields, other methods

The Department of Defense (DoD) is exploring cutting-edge technology to help service members handle extreme conditions. These include methods like using electric fields and tiny fluid channels to enhance their bodies. A new program called DARPA’s RBC-Factory is at the forefront of this effort, working on ways to improve red blood cells (RBCs) to make service members stronger and more resilient.

Service members often work in extreme environments where they face challenges like intense heat, freezing cold, low oxygen, and exposure to diseases like malaria. These harsh conditions can harm their health and reduce their ability to perform. Right now, service members rely on equipment like protective gear or medicine, but these have downsides.

According to RBC-Factory, they can cause side effects, aren’t always effective, are expensive, and can be difficult to carry or use.

Dr. Christopher Bettinger, who leads the RBC-Factory program, says new solutions are needed to better prepare service members for these challenges. RBC-Factory’s goal is to create special tools that modify red blood cells to help service members handle tough environments more effectively.

The RBC-Factory program is working on a way to improve red blood cells by adding helpful components like proteins or pigments. These modified RBCs (mRBCs) would provide extra protection for long periods, allowing service members to perform better in extreme situations.

The program’s main goals are:

  • Figuring out how to safely add new materials to RBCs.
  • Testing how these changes affect the cells.
  • Building a device that can quickly and efficiently modify RBCs for military use.

The program also takes ethical concerns into account, making sure the technology is developed responsibly and fairly.

On January 7th, Dr. Bettinger, who is also a Full Professor in the departments of Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science & Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University proposed two key methods for modifying RBCs:

Electric Fields
This method, called Electrical Pore Generation or “electroporation,” uses electrical pulses to temporarily create tiny openings in cell membranes. These openings could allow “new components” to enter and alter the red blood cells. This technique is already used in medical fields like gene therapy and drug delivery.

Microfluidics
Microfluidics uses tiny fluid channels to precisely control the delivery of drugs or other substances into the body. It’s like having a mini laboratory on a chip, which ensures drugs are released at the right place and time. This technology could provide continuous protection for service members during missions.

    The RBC-Factory program is also considering how people will feel about using these methods. Experts are discussing questions like: Is this safe? Will it be fair for all service members? Will they accept it?

    The RBC-Factory program hopes to be successful in 21 months and has laid out a timeline for what they expect to achieve during that time frame.

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