Plant protein could be used in plants, claim scientists

A protein found in sugar beet could be used as a blood substitute to help tackle the shortage of blood, researchers in Sweden suggest.

Haemoglobin is the protein that carries oxygen in blood and the team say plant and human versions are very similar.

They are looking at whether they can repackage the plant protein in a way that can be accepted by human tissue, reports BBC News.

Scientists said this could be in three years. One UK expert said the study was "exciting" but a "long-term prospect".

Blood transfusions can help many people in emergency situations who have lost a lot of blood and also those needing long-term
treatments, such as for cancer and blood diseases.

Work by scientists at Lund University built upon an earlier study published in the journal Plant & Cell Physiology that found haemoglobin had an important role in plant development.

Sugar beet is grown commercially for sugar production.
 

Read more on the BBC website.