NSF ATP-Bio & EARTH Joint Public Webinar featuring Dr. John Bischof & Dr. Mark Shiflett

Improved Refrigeration for Next Generation Cryopreservation

Tuesday, October 13, 2026

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM CT | 4:00 – 5:00 PM ET | 1:00 – 2:00 PM PT

Featuring: Dr. John Bischof (ATP-Bio) & Dr. Mark Shiflett (EARTH)

Zoom Link

Abstract

Advances in low-temperature biology are revolutionizing the preservation of biological systems across multiple scales (µL to 2L). The NSF Engineering Research Center ATP-Bio is developing both subzero and cryogenic preservation protocols using defined testbeds that serve as both model systems for technology development and final products for real-world applications. Achieving these goals requires high-efficiency, environment-safe refrigeration systems. By integrating the advanced, environmentally friendly refrigeration technologies developed by the NSF ERC EARTH, ATP-Bio enhances its ability to design and construct optimized prototype systems for organ and tissue cryopreservation. Together, this collaboration aims to deliver “off-the-shelf” biopreservation approaches to enable cell therapies, transplantable tissues and organs, organoids for biopharma, organismal models, and “cryo-seed” preservation for agriculture and biodiversity. By translating and commercializing these combined technologies to build scalable cryo-supply chains, ATP-Bio and EARTH are creating transformative societal benefits, establishing a robust global infrastructure, and securing United States leadership in “stopping biological time.”

As a first step this presentation will highlight a program between the two NSF ERCs – EARTH and ATP-Bio to design and construct a prototype system for cryopreservation of organs and tissues.