X-Message-Number: 13792 Date: Fri, 26 May 2000 15:01:37 From: "Henry R. Hirsch" <> Subject: A Major Step toward Vitrification Vitrification is a process by which a specimen is cooled to low temperatures without the formation of ice crystals that are injurious to biological membranes. Successful tissue vitrification would significantly improve the chances of reanimation from cryonic suspension. A major step toward this goal has recently been described in the paper "Effects of Solute Methoxylation on Glass-Forming Ability and Stability of Vitrification Solutions" by Brian Wowk, Michael Darwin, Steven B. Harris, Sandra R. Russell, and Christopher M. Rasch of 21st Century Medicine. The paper appears in Cryobiology, vol 39, pages 215-227 (1999). The effects of replacing hydroxyl (OH) groups with methoxyl (OCH3) groups in various cryoprotectant agents are investigated by the authors. Great improvements in critical cooling and warming rates and in viscosity are reported. I draw the attention of Cryonet readers to this paper not only for its scientific content but because it appears in a widely circulated "mainstream" scientific journal that is not devoted to - indeed may to some extent be hostile to - cryonics. The authors are to be congratulated by the cryonics community. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Henry R. Hirsch Department of Physiology Phone: (859)323-5438 MS508 Chandler Medical Center Fax: (859)323-1070 University of Kentucky E-Mail: Lexington, KY 40536-0298 USA Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=13792