Microencapsulation of erythrocytes

Human erythrocytes have been encapsulated in a polyacrylate membrane by a simple precipitation process. The encapsulated cells appeared to remain functional after encapsulation: the consumption of glucose and the ability to reversibly bind oxygen was unimpaired. Furthermore, storage at 4°C for almost 6 months had no effect on the P₅₀ and n₅₀ values. This is the first time to our knowledge that live mammalian cells have been encapsulated in a polymer other than alginate.