Novel methods for organ and tissue cryopreservation

Problem

Organ and tissue transplants are miracles of modern medicine, but there is a critical need for transplantable organs on-demand. Current methods of storing organs are short-term and inadequate. Cryogenic storage of whole organs is not practical because ice crystal formation destroys the tissues. Advanced cryopreservation methods and reagents can prevent ice crystals in whole organs even at cryogenic temperatures (-130 ०C) but those reagents are themselves toxic.

Solution

Researchers James Cypser and Thomas E. Johnson from CU Boulder's Institute for Behavioral Genetics have investigated the susceptibility to toxicity of cryopreservation reagents. They have identified biochemical pathways associated with drugs that ameliorate the toxicity of those reagents.

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Market Application

This has potential applications for organ banking and organ transplantation.

What's Next?

CU is actively seeking licensing partners, advisors and industry connections to get these technologies to market.