Freezing and nanowarming donor livers for long-term storage
Cryopreservation and nanowarming enables whole liver banking for transplantation, cell therapy and biomedical research
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA · NIH-11290294
A new method uses protective chemicals and tiny iron particles to freeze donated livers and warm them evenly so they can be stored longer for transplants or research.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (MINNEAPOLIS, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11290294 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This project aims to make whole donor livers storable for long periods by turning them into a glass-like frozen state (vitrification) and then warming them quickly and uniformly. Researchers infuse protective chemicals and iron oxide nanoparticles into the liver's blood vessels, freeze the organ at very low temperatures, and later use a radiofrequency coil to heat the nanoparticles from inside the organ (nanowarming). The approach is being tested in preclinical models to prevent ice formation and cracking that currently destroy organs during thawing. If it works, hospitals could bank livers for later transplants, cell therapies, and biomedical research instead of needing immediate use.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People on liver transplant waiting lists or those who may need a liver transplant in the future would be the primary group to benefit and could be future trial candidates.
Not a fit: Patients without liver disease or those needing other organs would not directly benefit from this liver-specific preservation technology.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could greatly increase the number and reliability of usable donor livers, improving access to transplants and enabling more research.
How similar studies have performed: Related nanoparticle heating and vitrification techniques have shown promise in lab and animal studies, but whole human liver preservation has not yet been proven clinically.
Where this research is happening
MINNEAPOLIS, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA — MINNEAPOLIS, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: FINGER, ERIK BRIAN — UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
- Study coordinator: FINGER, ERIK BRIAN
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 below.