Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, has teamed up with Australian scientists to create the world’s smallest mustache. Through the collaboration of the Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication (MCN) at the Australian National Fabrication Facility and the Ramaciotti Centre for Cryo-Electron Microscopy at Monash University, a red blood cell was used to construct the minuscule mustache, as reported by Scimex.
The tiny mustache, measuring just five microns, was designed to support Movember, a global men’s health charity, and to raise awareness of the vital role of blood donation in men’s health. According to a spokesperson for Lifeblood, Alison Gould, conditions such as heart disease, lung and throat cancers, and blood clots frequently require billions of blood cells during treatment, underscoring the significance of blood donation.
The minuscule mustache was created by applying layers of 3D-printed polymer resin to a tiny stalk and gently affixing it to a single red blood cell using a micro manipulator. The team used advanced nanofabrication techniques to craft this symbol, aiming to raise awareness for men’s health during November.
After undergoing a fixation process onto a gold-coated slide and receiving a coating of metal, the single red blood cell was scrutinized through a technique enabling the imaging of structures as small as 1/10,000th of the width of a human hair. Furthermore, Lifeblood is partnering with Movember throughout November to promote men’s health and encourage blood or plasma donations.
By integrating their nanofabrication expertise into a noble cause, the Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication team expressed how the microscopic mustache project is a testament to the importance of advanced scientific tools. Bernie Orelup, Engineering & Operations Manager at the Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, highlighted how the project unveiled the significance of advanced scientific equipment.
Despite its small size, the tiny mustache is expected to have a significant impact, inspiring individuals to contribute to men’s health through blood donation. Donors in November will receive a limited-edition Movember-designed bandage as part of the initiative. This miniature symbol serves as a powerful affirmation of the essential role of scientific tools in uncovering mysteries on a small scale.
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