The breakthrough may pave the way for the creation of a universal donor blood supply, as well as the ability to pull off similar results with other vital organs. These sugars that coat organ blood vessels help determine a person’s blood type. This is why complications can arise even when someone with type-A blood receives an organ with the same blood type. In 2022, collaborators successfully converted the blood type of lungs and kidneys outside the body. If the team receives an approval for clinical trials, they will next work on further developing these enzymes—first for creating universal donor blood, as well as applying the advancements to other organs.