Preserving and warming livers for transplantation and research
Official title: Cryopreservation and nanowarming enables whole liver banking for transplantation, cell therapy and biomedical research
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-11010744 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to keep donated livers healthy for longer so they can be used for transplants and research, using a special cooling method and tiny particles to warm them up safely.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | February 15, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $598,916 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK132211-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11010744 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with end-stage liver disease who are in need of a liver transplant.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with liver conditions that do not require transplantation or those who are not candidates for liver transplant surgery may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving the preservation of deceased donor livers to make them available for transplantation and biomedical research. By using a technique called cryopreservation, the livers can be stored at extremely low temperatures without forming ice crystals that damage the organ. The innovative method of 'nanowarming' allows for safe and uniform rewarming of the livers using nanoparticles, ensuring they remain viable for longer periods. This approach aims to increase the number of usable livers and enhance their therapeutic potential.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly increase the availability of donor livers for transplantation and improve outcomes for patients needing liver transplants.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in organ preservation techniques, but this specific approach using nanowarming is novel and has not been widely tested.
Where this research is happening
-
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.