A solution for the cryopreservation of human internal organs could be at hand in the form of a technology used to preserve sushi that can instantly freeze water, meaning there is no time for cell damaging ice crystals to form. In fact, it’s already being used to preserve teeth.
A research group at Hiroshima University, borrowing super-cooling technology used to preserve sushi and high-end food delicacies, has proven it is possible to freeze cells without the use of toxic cryprotectants. As reported on Singularity Hub, the “Cells Alive System” (CAS) produced by Japanese company ABI prevents freezing at super-cool temperatures by vibrating the water using magnetic fields. This allows the water to be super-cooled so that when the magnetic field is turned off, the water freezes instantaneously – too fast for damaging ice crystals to form.
Maria Konovalenko 