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Pig Kidney Successfully Transplanted After Over a Year Frozen

By Drooid · Oct 20, 2026, 6:14 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

University of Minnesota researchers transplanted a pig kidney after months of cryogenic storage.
The kidney was vitrified at –238 °F (-150 °C) and kept stable at –184 °F (-120 °C).
One kidney remained frozen for over a year before successful thawing and transplantation.
Researchers added iron-oxide nanoparticles to the cryoprotectant to achieve even reheating.
Scientists say scaling vitrification to human organs will require solving cooling, CPA stability, transport, and toxicity.

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Story summary

University of Minnesota researchers transplanted a pig kidney after months of cryogenic storage.
The kidney was vitrified at –238 °F (-150 °C) and kept stable at –184 °F (-120 °C).
One kidney remained frozen for over a year before successful thawing and transplantation.
Researchers added iron-oxide nanoparticles to the cryoprotectant to achieve even reheating.
Scientists say scaling vitrification to human organs will require solving cooling, CPA stability, transport, and toxicity.