BOULDER — Researchers from CU Boulder, McGill University, the University of British Columbia, the University of Toronto, and the Versiti Blood Research Institutes developed an engineered blood clot. This engineered clot forms faster and is more durable than natural blood clots. The study describing these blood clots was published in the journal Nature in 2026.

These clots are constructed from a network of chemically linked red blood cells. The technique utilizes a chemical reaction to link red blood cells into a gel-like structure, which operates alongside the body's natural clotting process. This engineered network functions as a secondary support system layered over the body's natural fibrin-platelet clots.

Laboratory and rodent testing showed that the engineered clots form within five seconds. The rodent testing also indicated that the engineered clots dissipated energy under stress, rapidly stopped bleeding, and resisted breaking apart. The testing further indicated that these engineered clots supported tissue healing and reduced inflammation.

Rong Long, an associate professor at CU Boulder and a contributing author on the study, commented on the material's properties. Long said, "We found the material to be 13 times tougher and four times more adhesive than native blood clots." He said, "These native blood clots are impressive, but they are brittle and slow to form. A soldier dealing with a gunshot wound or a patient experiencing a hemorrhage needs faster clotting that is more resistant to rupture."

Long also explained the temporary nature of the engineered clots. Long said, "Blood cells have an expiration date. Using red blood cells as the foundation of these reinforced clots makes them temporary. They can naturally break down in a short time, preventing blockages and other health issues that occur when they are in the body for too long."

Jianyu Li, who served as the lead and senior author on the research at McGill University's Laboratory of Biomaterials Mechanics, described the broader implications of their work. Li said, "Our work shows that, when engineered appropriately, red blood cells can play a central structural role, enabling the design of stronger and more functional biomaterials." Shuaibing Jiang, the first author of the study, is a postdoctoral associate at Harvard Medical School.