Progress in Organ Cryopreservation

Mainstream research into cryopreservation of tissue will likely provide benefits to the cryonics community: researchers "have developed a new approach for producing more effective medical antifreeze fluids for preserving kidneys, hearts, and other organs donated for transplantation. These next-generation antifreezes can decrease damage to organs caused by ice crystals, and thus prolong the time a donated organ will remain viable prior to transplantation. ... the scientists describe the development of 'hydration index' that can be used to more reliably predict how prospective antifreeze materials will behave. Their index provides a clearer picture of how water molecules interact with the sugar component [and] affect their chemical behavior. This is a key to understanding their ability to resist the formation of ice crystals when chilled." Cryonics researchers have already developed antifreezes in conjunction with vitrification, but a more rigorous way forward to better antifreezes certainly can't hurt.

Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081222081214.htm

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