ORGAN transplant preservation may be influenced by the physical properties of cryopreservation solutions, with new research suggesting that high glass transition temperatures are associated with reduced structural damage during vitrification, a key barrier to scaling organ storage for clinical use.
Addressing Structural Damage in Organ Preservation
Cryopreservation by vitrification has emerged as a promising strategy to extend organ viability and expand the donor pool. However, translating this approach from small-scale models to clinically relevant organs remains challenging, in part due to thermal stress that can lead to cracking and irreversible tissue damage. While prior work has focused on optimising cooling and warming protocols, the role of solution properties in mitigating structural injury has been less well defined.
Experimental and Computational Analysis of Cryopreservation Solutions
In this recent study, Kavian and the research team combined experimental imaging with computational modelling to evaluate how the glass transition temperature of aqueous cryopreservation solutions influences thermal stress and cracking. Four solution chemistries commonly used in cryobiology were assessed across a range of glass transition temperatures spanning more than 50°C.
Using a custom cryomacroscope platform and deep learning-based image analysis, the investigators quantified cracking during vitrification and rewarming. These findings were complemented by thermomechanical simulations to examine stress development under controlled conditions.
Higher Glass Transition Temperatures Associated with Less Cracking
The results showed that solutions with higher glass transition temperatures were associated with significantly reduced cracking compared with those with lower glass transition temperatures. Computational modelling supported these findings, indicating that lower glass transition temperatures were linked to greater thermal contraction and higher internal stress, increasing the likelihood of structural failure.
The authors reported that this relationship is driven by underlying thermophysical mechanisms, including an inverse association between glass transition temperature and thermal expansion, which influences stress accumulation during temperature changes.
Matthew J Powell-Palm, Texas A&M University, Texas, USA, said: “While indefinite preservation organs at cryogenic temperatures may yet be a few years off from clinical translation, technologies enabling days- to weeks-long preservation at milder sub-0 °C temperatures are rapidly approaching the clinic (such as ice-free, cryoprotectant-free isochoric supercooling and others), and are poised to initiate this much-needed overhaul of transplantation logistics and access.
“Understanding the chemical thermodynamics foundations of what makes a good organ cryopreservation solution is the first step towards achieving human-scale, clinical use.”
Potential Implications for Organ Transplant Preservation
These findings highlight a potential role for cryopreservation solution design in reducing structural damage during organ preservation. Current vitrification approaches rely on a relatively narrow range of established solution chemistries, which may not be optimised for minimising thermal stress at larger scales.
Reference
Kavian S et al. Higher glass transition temperatures reduce thermal stress cracking in aqueous solutions relevant to cryopreservation. Sci Rep. 2025;15:27903.
Featured image: Africa Studio on Adobe Stock
