X-Message-Number: 4284
From:  (Brian Wowk)
Newsgroups: sci.cryonics
Subject: Re: Cyroprotective Proteins ?
Date: 24 Apr 1995 06:01:50 GMT
Message-ID: <3nfese$>
References: <>

In <>  (Ian Taylor) writes:

>What is the current status of kidney cryopreservation?

	A vitrifiable cryoprotective solution now exists that
allows kidney slices to be cooled to -130'C without any ice
formation at all (i.e. true vitrification), and no toxic effects. 
The slices are perfectly viable upon rewarming.

	The catch is that the slices must be rewarmed very
quickly (>10'C per second, I think) to avoid devitrification on
the way back up.  To rewarm whole kidneys at this rate will
require an rf heating aparatus that is currently under development.

	I have also recently been informed that there is still a
problem with chilling injury in whole organs (inadequate cooling
rate?), but that this is believed solvable as well.
 
>BTW am I correct in saying that human blood, sperm, eggs and embryos
>(maximum age?) can now be cryopreserved indefinitely and restored to
>normal function?

	Yes, and you can also add corneas, bone marrow, skin, and
small intestines.

---Brian Wowk


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