Pig kidneys that were “frozen” for a year have been brought back to life
Scientists have successfully rewarmed pig kidneys that were cryogenically frozen at -150 °C for over a year. The organs regained function after transplantation, marking a potential breakthrough for future human organ banking.
Why it matters
This technology could eventually eliminate organ transplant waiting lists by allowing for long-term storage of donor organs.
One day human organs could also be banked safely for future transplantation.
Pig kidneys that were cooled to -150 °C and stored in a freezer for months have been successfully rewarmed and shown to work again for the first time, say scientists. They hope to replicate the findings with human organs.
The kidneys—which are similar in size to human ones—were left in a glass-like state, in one case for over a year. Once they had been rewarmed, tested in machines, and transplanted into pigs, the kidneys regained their color and made urine—key signs they were working.
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