A recent feature, “This scientist rewarmed and studied pieces of his friend’s cryopreserved brain” in MIT Technology Review, explores the future of cryopreservation, from brain preservation to organ transplantation, highlighting perspectives from leaders across academia and industry, including John Bischof, Shannon Tessier, Greg Fahy, and Brian Wowk.
While cryonics captures public attention, the article emphasizes that the most immediate impact lies in preserving organs and tissues for transplantation, a rapidly advancing and clinically relevant frontier.
John Bischof (Director ATP-Bio, University of Minnesota) and Shannon Tessier (ATP-Bio ITA3 Co-Lead, Massachusetts General Hospital) highlight the field’s shift toward scalable, real-world solutions for preserving complex biological systems, with the goal of enabling organ banking and expanding transplant access.
Greg Fahy and Brian Wowk (21st Century Medicine) are recognized for pioneering vitrification and advanced cryoprotectants—key breakthroughs that allow preservation of larger tissues without damaging ice formation and move the field closer to functional recovery.
The article reinforces that whole-brain or human revival remains speculative, while organ preservation represents a near-term, high-impact opportunity to transform transplantation.
