Evidence status: Ex vivo human-organ research · 2019
A different physical state
Supercooling maintains a liquid below its equilibrium freezing point. It is physically distinct from a vitrified solid. Avoiding nucleation becomes a central challenge.
An example in human livers
de Vries and colleagues investigated supercooling with protective agents and machine perfusion in human livers outside the body. Their work extended preservation under the study conditions. It did not demonstrate a routine clinical organ-banking service.
Crystalline
A repeating arrangement
Amorphous glass
A disordered solid
Read with these questions in mind
- What biological material was studied?
- What comparison group and recovery measurements were used?
- What would need to be tested before applying this elsewhere?
References
- de Vries et al. (2019). Supercooling extends preservation time of human livers. Nature Biotechnology. ↗Ex vivo human liver research; supercooling maintains a liquid state.