University of Minnesota achieves milestone in freezing organs before transplant

The success in freezing and thawing kidneys transplanted in rats could one day improve human organ transplants. 

Scientists at the University of Minnesota have successfully transplanted rat kidneys that were thawed after up to 100 days in ultracold storage — a milestone that could one day revolutionize how and when human organs are transplanted.

University of Minnesota mechanical engineering postdoctoral researcher Zonghu Han demonstrated how rat kidneys can be cryogenically stored for up to 100 days before they are warmed and transplanted. (Image: Rebecca Slater)


By Jeremy Olson,
Star Tribune (June 22, 2023)