Electromagnetic-based dreaming? Actually Cryopreservation and Rewarming Platform for Donor Livers
Official title: Electromagnetic-Based Cryopreservation and Rewarming Platform for Extended Storage of Donor Livers
Funded at Seattle University · NIH-11360975 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research project is developing a new device and methods to freeze and safely thaw donor livers for longer storage and fairer access to transplants.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Seattle University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $512,596 |
| NIH project number | 1R15DK147819-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11360975 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients awaiting liver transplantation or those who could benefit from more available donor organs.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not awaiting liver transplantation or those not affected by organ availability may not see direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project combines modeling, cryobiology, and electromagnetic engineering to improve how livers are preserved. It will use computer simulations to study vitrification solutions and test rapid, uniform rewarming with a novel EM system. Findings will be used to train a deep-learning model to optimize the preservation chemistry and procedures. The goal is to expand the time livers can be stored without damage so more patients can receive transplants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lengthen shelf-life for donor livers and reduce wasted organs, increasing the number of patients who can receive a transplant.
How similar studies have gone: Previous cryopreservation work has faced ice formation and toxicity, so success here would be a meaningful advancement.
Where this research is happening
-
Seattle University
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ren, Shen — Seattle University
- Study coordinator: Ren, Shen
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.