In your opinion what was the best invention in 2007?
The last Science Week question, which is disappointing as I was quite enjoying it.
ZymeQuest Blood Simple Machine
Scientists from a biotech firm called ZymeQuest in Massachusetts developed a technique to change the blood type of a sample of blood back in 2003. Now they are in trials with a device (about the size of a dishwasher) that can change entire batches of blood that might be type A, B or AB into type O. This is important because type O blood can be transfused into practically anyone despite what their own blood type actually is.
I am not going to pretend to understand the biological and technological components and research that have gone into this machine, but I do understand what it does - which is something that would be of great benefit to hospitals all over the world. There is a wonderful article on this device over on Popsi.com.
You can read the other submissions to this competition here. (I very much hope no-one mentions the iPhone, otherwise I shall be shaking my fist at them - as it is not an invention, it’s a product!)
