New chemical mixtures to protect organs during freezing
Official title: High throughput screening and machine learning for discovery of next generation chemicals for cryopreservation
Funded at Oregon State University · NIH-11304433 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research team is testing new chemical blends to keep organs alive longer after freezing, which could improve transplant success.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Corvallis, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $560,293 |
| NIH project number | 1R21EB037336-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11304433 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients awaiting organ transplantation or those connected to organ donation networks.
✕Less likely to help
Patients unlikely to receive direct benefit include those not involved in transplantation pathways or unrelated medical conditions.
What this research studies
This project uses high throughput screening and computer learning to discover safe, effective cryoprotective agent mixtures that protect cells during freezing. By evaluating membrane permeability, toxicity, and glass-forming properties, the team aims to identify combinations that minimize damage and extend organ viability. The work combines rapid lab testing with machine learning to predict promising CPA formulations for organ cryopreservation. If successful, it could lead to better organ matching, fewer discarded organs, and more flexible transplant scheduling.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could improve organ availability and transplant success by making long-term organ preservation safer and more effective.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has explored a small set of CPAs; this project breaks new ground by exploring millions of potential chemicals with ML guidance.
Where this research is happening
-
Oregon State University
Corvallis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Higgins, Adam Z — Oregon State University
- Study coordinator: Higgins, Adam Z
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.