Sat Dec 20 19:00:00 UTC 2025: Summary:
This article details the history and significance of drying blood serum, a technique pioneered by biochemists Stuart Mudd and Earl Flosdorf in the 1930s. Their method, involving high-speed vertical spin freezing and sublimation, enabled the preservation of blood serum for extended periods without damaging crucial proteins. While initially met with curiosity, the onset of World War II highlighted the technique’s importance for blood transfusions. The article further discusses the contributions of Ronald Greaves, who developed a similar method in England, emphasizing the centrifugal vacuum spin-freezing technique. These innovations led to a better understanding of blood components, improved transfusion practices, and the preservation of various biological products and food items.
News Article:
WWII Blood Transfusion Breakthrough Still Saving Lives in 2025
Philadelphia, PA – December 22, 2025 – A groundbreaking method for preserving blood serum, developed in the 1930s at the University of Pennsylvania, continues to impact medicine and other industries nearly a century later. Biochemists Stuart Mudd and Earl Flosdorf pioneered a technique involving high-speed freezing and sublimation to remove nearly all water content from blood serum. This allowed for long-term storage without protein degradation, a significant problem with earlier methods.
The technique gained prominence during World War II, providing a crucial solution for battlefield blood transfusions. “Whole blood requires refrigeration and has a limited shelf life,” explained a historical analyst. “The Mudd and Flosdorf method provided a way to have readily available blood components in the field.”
Simultaneously, physician Ronald Greaves in England developed a similar method, emphasizing centrifugal vacuum spin-freezing, which is now an industry standard.
These innovations not only saved countless lives during the war but also paved the way for improved blood typing, transfusion practices, and the preservation of vaccines, antibiotics, and even food products.
“From battlefields to research labs and even our grocery stores, the impact of these scientists’ work is still felt today,” said Dr. Ramya Kannan, health expert. “Their work revolutionized how we handle and utilize blood and other biological materials, making the world a healthier and safer place.”
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