The quest to keep organs alive outside the body

Scientists are working to increase the time that organs can survive outside the human body. Currently, donated organs can only remain viable for a few hours, making the process of finding a compatible recipient and transporting the organ a race against time.

A research team has successfully preserved pig kidneys at very low temperatures, allowing these organs to survive for several days. This is a significant breakthrough, as kidneys stored in ice typically cannot remain viable for such a long period.

Organ cryopreservation is a complex process, as ice crystal formation can damage tissue. Although eggs, sperm, and embryos have been successfully frozen, human organs for transplantation have not been able to be frozen and thawed.

Another way to keep organs alive is by using machines that provide nutrients, mimicking the human body’s functioning. These machines are increasingly being used to maintain organs such as the liver and kidneys for a longer period.

Research in this field is highly active, with new methods of preserving organs being explored, which could have a significant impact on the availability of organs for transplantation. This is important because the shortage of donated organs is a serious problem affecting many people who need a transplant to survive. The ability to preserve organs for a longer period could significantly improve the chances of finding a compatible recipient and increase the success rate of transplants.

Read the original article on MIT Technology Review

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