According to a report by "Defense Blog" on September 13, the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) announced the official launch of a new biotechnology project called "Smart-RBC" (Smart Red Blood Cells), attempting to functionally modify human red blood cells through synthetic biology methods, giving them AI-like capabilities.

Unlike traditional red blood cells that only serve the single role of transporting oxygen, smart red blood cells will be equipped with complex embedded biological circuits, which can automatically identify key physiological signals in the body, such as blood loss, hypoxia, infection, and abnormal temperature, autonomously assess the current state of the body, and actively release hemostatic factors, immunomodulatory molecules, and vasopressors, thus assisting the human body in self-rescue in battlefield or extreme environments.

The project is divided into two stages, totaling three years. The first stage will verify whether the biological circuit can be embedded at the stem cell stage and remain functional after the red blood cells mature; the second stage will focus on system optimization, risk control, and small-scale biological demonstration.

The project is led by the head of DARPA's Office of Biological Technologies, and has opened up eligibility for military institutions and bio-laboratories to apply for collaboration.

Pentagon

If it is really as miraculous as advertised, once successful, the physical tolerance and physiological adaptability of U.S. soldiers would undergo a fundamental transformation.

For example, currently, when soldiers suffer from penetrating injuries, massive bleeding, hypoxia, heatstroke, frostbite, or altitude sickness, they often rely on external medical intervention or high-intensity evacuation. With smart red blood cells, future U.S. soldiers, after suffering the same injuries, will have their smart red blood cells immediately initiate endogenous intervention: first releasing hemostatic molecules to stabilize the wound, then activating metabolic pathways to increase the oxygen-carrying efficiency of the blood, while maintaining blood pressure and core body temperature, and then choose to wait for external rescue or recover automatically.

According to DARPA's vision, these smart red blood cells can also operate according to pre-set tactical modes: for example, when entering an area of high-altitude combat, it switches to low-oxygen resistance mode; if toxic agent exposure is anticipated, it loads detoxification programs.

Red blood cell rendering

To some extent, it can be said that if there are smart red blood cells, as long as it's not a direct kill like a headshot, almost no one would die.

For example, a soldier who loses a leg in combat, under previous circumstances, would die within minutes due to hemorrhagic shock if immediate hemostasis couldn't be achieved.

But with the help of smart red blood cells, his body will actively regulate the hemostasis mechanism, quickly constrict microvessels, clot the wound, and secrete metabolic activators to delay shock, release minute analgesic factors to reduce pain feedback. As long as the brain still has consciousness and the heart is still beating, he is unlikely to die. If he has good mental resilience, he could continue fighting while waiting for rescue.

This means that in future tactical units, a class of injured but not dead soldiers may appear. They don't fear losing limbs, temporary hypoxia, or minor poisoning. As long as they aren't shot in the head or had their hearts pierced, surviving, or even rejoining the battle in a short time, wouldn't be a big problem.

Soldier

Certainly, the idea sounds great, but precisely because it's too good, it's destined to be difficult to implement, and will only exist as a highly idealized concept.

The biggest technical obstacle lies in the fact that red blood cells are enucleated cells, and after maturation, they lack the ability to synthesize proteins and do not have a gene expression mechanism. This means that once the biological circuit is successfully embedded, it cannot be activated or updated during the lifespan of the red blood cell, and can only rely on pre-designed and one-time embedding.

Currently, although synthetic biology technology can already directionally implant functional modules at the stem cell stage, whether it can be retained until the final maturation of the red blood cell, and maintain stability and controllability for 120 days, remains without experimental precedent.

Moreover, red blood cells undergo billions of flows and physical friction every day, with a simple structure but high load. Any additional biological mechanism could cause stress-induced rupture, leading to severe hemolysis or immune collapse.

Furthermore, according to convention, if this technology that changes the rules of the battlefield could be realized in a few years, the United States would secretly develop it rather than publicly announce it.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7549816407739974144/

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