Researchers find way that could possibly reduce organ donation shortages

March 3, 2017

Researchers in the US have made a scientific advance that could possible reduce the critical shortage in organ donations and boost the number of organs available for transplant each year.

Deep-freezing organs and tissue through cryopreservation has been possible since the 1980s, but most donated organs can only last about four hours on ice. Re-warming them without cooking or destroying the tissue has proven to be a more difficult process.

Now, researchers at the University of Minnesota have discovered a way to thaw animal heart valves and blood vessels, said the report in the journal Science Translational Medicine.The method works by dispersing silica-coated iron oxide nanoparticles throughout a cryoprotectant solution.

“The iron oxide nanoparticles act as tiny heaters around the tissue when they are activated using non-invasive electromagnetic waves to rapidly and uniformly warm tissue at rates of 100 to 200 degrees Celsius per minute, 10 to 100 times faster than previous methods,” said a statement from the University of Minnesota, which owns two patents on the technology.

Tests performed after the re-warming showed the tissues were unharmed, unlike tissue re-warmed slowly over ice or via convection heating.The solution could also be easily rinsed off the tissue afterwards.

Senior author John Bischof, mechanical engineering professor at the University of Minnesota, said this is the first time anyone has been able to scale up to a larger biological system and demonstrate successful, fast and uniform warming of preserved tissue without damaging it.

“These results are very exciting and could have a huge societal benefit if we could someday bank organs for transplant.” The next step for researchers is to try the technique on rat and rabbit organs, then pigs’ organs and eventually on human organs.

The advance might make some dream of one day freezing an entire human and then thawing the body to bring the person back to life. But Bischof said that day – if ever possible – is still quite far off.”We are cautiously optimistic that we’re going to be able to get into a kidney or maybe a heart,” he told reporters on a conference call.

“But we are not, in any way, declaring victory, here. There are some huge scientific hurdles ahead of us. And so I think it’s rather premature to think about getting into a whole person.”

Nearly 76,000 people are actively waiting for an organ transplant in the US, according to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network.

Experts say more than 60% of the hearts and lungs donated for transplantation each year must be discarded because they cannot be kept on ice for long.

On average, 22 people die every day while waiting for an organ.

“This study helps overcome a key challenge in organ banking,” said Jedediah Lewis, president and chief executive officer of the Organ Preservation Alliance.

He also described the work as “a milestone in a two-plus year movement” led by the National Science Foundation, the US Department of Defense and the administration of former president Barack Obama and others to bank organs and large tissues as a way of improving access to those in need and accelerating research and drug discovery, cancer care and fertility protection.

“Altogether, this technology could save or improve the lives of millions of patients each year,” Lewis said.

Bischof and colleagues said it could be seven to 10 years before their technology is available for wider use in organ preservation.

Tags:

Category: Education, Features

Comments are closed.

Subscribe to HCA for exclusive updates

Top Viewed News

12 simple steps to a healthy lifestyle

12 simple steps to a healthy lifestyle

Now that the world has returned to normalcy following the pandemic, everyone is back to their daily routines and encounters with stress... Read More

AZBIL: Envisioning the Future of Hospitals

AZBIL: Envisioning the Future of Hospitals

As we strive to be the hospital of choice, why not refine our commitment to excellence beyond the pivotal mission of saving lives?... Read More

Study Unlocks Key Findings on Asian Carriers of Breast Cancer

Study Unlocks Key Findings on Asian Carriers of Breast Cancer

Malaysian researchers at Cancer Research Malaysia (CRMY) and the University of Nottingham Malaysia (UNM) have published... Read More

 Unmasking the Risks of Mercury-Laden Cosmetics

Unmasking the Risks of Mercury-Laden Cosmetics

As the saying goes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and thus subjective; but in some countries, the ideal of beauty begins... Read More

5 key hospital etiquettes to be mindful of when visiting a sick patient

5 key hospital etiquettes to be mindful of when visiting a sick patient

In moments of illness, the presence of loved ones can comfort and support. However, it’s important for visitors... Read More

Free counters!

2025 Exhibitions



2025 Events


8-11 May
Vietnam Medi-Pharm
MITEC, KL
www.vietnammedipharm.vn


21-22 May
HealthTechX Asia
Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Singapore
www.healthtechx-asia.com


5-7 June
Medical Taiwan
Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Taipei, Taiwan
www.medicaltaiwan.com.tw


9-11 June
APHM International Healthcare Conference & Exhibition
KL Convention Centere, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
www.aphmconferences.com


12-14 June
International Health Industry Expo
China
www.ihe-china.com


24-26 June
CPhI China
SNIEC, Shanghai, China
www.cphi.com


25-26 June
Health Facilities Asia
Singapore
www.www.iqpc.com


25-27 June
Japan Health
INTEX Osaka, Japan
www.japanhealthonline.com


26-27 June
OSH India South
Chennai Trade Center, Bangalore
www.oshindia.com


9-11 July
Medical Device Development (MEDIX) – Osaka
Makuhari Messe, Japan
www.manufacturing-world.jp


14-16 July
Lab Asia
Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), Malaysia
www.lab-asia.com


16-18 July
Medlab Asia | Asia Health
Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre, Kuala Lumpur
www.medlabasia.com


13-15 August
Philippines Medical
SMX Convention Center Manila Philippines
www.philmedical.com


21-23 August
REHACARE China
Suzhou, China
www.rehacare-c.com


21-23 August
Medical Fair China
Suzhou, China
www.medicalfair.cn


3-5 September
Bio Asia Pacific
BITEC, Bangkok
www.bioasiapacific.com


9-12 September
China Dental Show
National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai)
www.chinadentalshow.com


10-11 September
Hospital Management Asia
Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
www.hospitalmanagementasia.com


10-12 September
Medical Fair Thailand
BITEC, Bangkok
www.medicalfair-thailand.com


10-12 September
Malaysia Pharma and Healthcare Expo
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
www.mphcexpo.com


11-13 September
Bio Asia Pacific
BITEC, Bangkok
www.bioasiapacific.com


24-26 September
Medtec China
Shanghai, China
www.en.medtecchina.com


9-11 October
Medical Japan Tokyo
Makuhari Messe, Japan
www.medical-jpn.jp


17-19 October
Health Asia
BITEC, Bangkok
www.health-asia.com


17-19 October
Health Asia
BITEC, Bangkok
www.health-asia.com


7-8 November
Eldercare Exhibition and Conference Asia (ELDEX Asia)
Suntex Singapore Exhibition and Convention Centre
www.eldexasia.com


10-12 November
Saudi International Pharma Expo
Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center
www.saudipharmaexpo.com


10-12 November
Saudi International MedLab Expo
Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center
www.saudimedlabexpo.com


27-29 November
International Wellness Expo (IWE 2025)
METIC, Malaysia
www.internationalwellnessexpo.com


2026 Events


9-12 Febuary
Arab Health
Dubai World Trade Centre
www.arabhealthonline.com


15-17 April
Lab Indonesia
Jakarta Convention Center, Jakarta, Indonesia
www.lab-indo.com


9-11 September
Medical Fair Asia
Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
www.medicalfair-asia.com


9-11 September
Medical Manufacturing Asia
Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
www.medmanufacturing-asia.com