This week, significant strides in the field of organ preservation were highlighted, addressing a critical issue: the chronic shortage of donor organs. Currently, human organs can only be preserved outside the body for limited periods, typically just a few hours, even when cooled on ice. The dream of organ banks—facilities where organs can be stored for extended durations—could revolutionize the field by allowing for thorough testing and optimal matching before transplantation.
Recent research has achieved a breakthrough in preserving pig kidneys—organs comparable in size to human kidneys—by supercooling them to -4 °C (25 °F). This method successfully maintained the organs for several days, and they were later reimplanted into pigs, demonstrating a landmark achievement in organ preservation. Traditionally, freezing organs has proven extremely challenging due to the damaging ice crystals that form, rendering organs unusable. However, some researchers are exploring cryopreservation techniques, which involve rapid cooling to create a glass-like state, a method already in routine use for eggs, sperm, and embryos.
While human organs have yet to be successfully cryopreserved and thawed for transplantation, advancements continue. For instance, the research team led by Matthew Powell Palm at Texas A&M has made progress with supercooled pig kidneys, which fared better than their ice-preserved counterparts. Their technique eliminated the need for cryoprotectants, while other teams are investigating chemical mixtures that could enhance the preservation of organs at lower temperatures over longer periods. Furthermore, machine perfusion devices—now increasingly utilized—help maintain organs by circulating nutrients, effectively mimicking their natural environment. This technology is being adapted for a variety of organs, including recent developments in preserving human uteruses, further showcasing the dynamic progress in organ preservation research.
Source: The quest to keep organs alive outside the body via MIT Technology Review