John C. Bischof, PhD

Distinguished McKnight University Professor & Bakken Chair for Engineering in Medicine; Director, NSF ATP-Bio Advanced Technologies for the Preservation of Biological Systems (ATP-Bio); University of Minnesota

Mark B. Shiflett, PhD, PE

Foundation Distinguished Professor; Director, NSF EARTH Environmentally Applied Refrigerant Technology Hub (EARTH); University of Kansas

Moderator: Mehmet Toner (ATP-Bio Co-Director)

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.

This joint webinar is based on work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Nos. EEC 1941543 and 2330175