X-Message-Number: 4259
From:  (Brian Wowk)
Newsgroups: sci.cryonics
Subject: Re: Cyroprotective Proteins
Date: 18 Apr 1995 21:00:22 GMT
Message-ID: <3n1996$>

References: <3mf67l$> 
<>


In <>  (Anders
Sandberg) writes:

>How does cryoprotective proteins and carbohydrates work
>in nature? One interesting solution would be to add genes
>for the production of these substances to ourselves
>(a bit non-trivial at present, but gene-therapy is starting
>to get good), controlled by a regulator switch. When a
>suspension is imminent, an artificial hormone activates them
>and the body will be at least a bit less susceptible to
>freezing damage. 

	If these substances prove to be useful in cryopreservation, we
hardly need anything as arcane as gene therapy to use them: Just add
them to your cryoprotective perfusate (in combination with drugs to
open the blood-brain barrier).  I, however, am not convinced that
natural anti-freeze compounds (evolved to protect at -10'C) are
particularly useful for cryopreservation at -130'C.  Rubinsky is
a big fan of this approach to organ cryopreservation, and I have
yet to see anything profound come out of his lab yet.  This is
in stark contrast to Greg Fahy's spectacular progress with
vitrification.

---Brian Wowk


Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=4259