X-Message-Number: 7033
Date: Tue, 8 Oct 1996 21:30:36 -0700 (PDT)
From: Doug Skrecky <>
Subject: amber

  I would like to suggest that freeze-drying be considered in preferance to 
amber infusion. This would avoid having to use fixatives and might even 
preserve some cellular viability by the use of even today's revival 
technology. Of course low molecular weight anhydroprotectants would have 
to be used, just as cryonics now uses cryoprotectants.

  Here are some references that might prove to be interesting: 

1. "Death-Defying Dehydration" Science News 107-110 February 13,1988 
2. "Exceptional Seed Longevity and Robust Growth: Ancient Sacred Lotus From 
   China" American Journal of Botany 82(11): 1367-1380 1995 
3. "Anhydrobiosis" Annu. Rev. Physiol. 54: 579-599 1992
4. "Effects of Carbohydrates on Membrane Stability at Low Water   
   Activities" Biochica et Biophysica Acta 769: 141-150 1984
5. "Survival of Mycobaterium Lepraemurium in Vitro for Thirty Years by 
   Lyophilization" Intl. J. Leprosy 53: 52-55 1985


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