Cryobiology is the study of living organisms, organs, biological tissues or biological cells at low temperatures. This knowledge is practically applied in three fields: cryonics, cryopreservation and cryosurgery. Life on Earth redirects here. ... This article is about the biological unit. ... Biological tissue is a collection of interconnected cells that perform a similar function within an organism. ... Cells in culture, stained for keratin The cell is the structural and functional unit of all living organisms. ... For other uses, see Temperature (disambiguation). ... Not to be confused with cryogenics. ... Cryopreservation of plant shoots. ... Cryosurgery (cryotherapy) is the application of extreme cold to destroy abnormal or diseased tissue. ...

Definitions/Distinctions

Cryobiology is the branch of biology that studies the effects of low temperatures on organisms (most often for the purpose of achieving cryopreservation). The word cryobiology (from the Greek words "cryo" = cold, "bios" = life, and "logos" = science) literally signifies the science of life at low temperatures. In practice, this field comprises the study of any biological material or system (e.g., proteins, cells, tissues, organs, or organisms) subjected to any temperature below normal (ranging from moderately hypothermic conditions to cryogenic temperatures). At least 6 major areas of cryobiology can be identified: 1) study of cold-adaptation of microorganisms, plants (= cold hardiness), invertebrates, and animals (= hibernation), 2) cryopreservation of cells, tissues, gametes, and embryos of animal and human origin for (medical) purposes of long-term storage. This usually requires the addition of substances which protect the cells during freezing and thawing (cryoprotectants), 3) preservation of organs under hypothermic conditions for transplantation, 4) lyophilization (freeze-drying) of pharmaceuticals, 5) cryosurgery, a (minimally) invasive approach for the destruction of unhealthy tissue using cryogenic gases/fluids, and 6) physics of supercooling, ice nucleation/growth and mechanical engineering aspects of heat transfer during cooling and warming. For the song by Girls Aloud see Biology (song) Biology studies the variety of life (clockwise from top-left) E. coli, tree fern, gazelle, Goliath beetle Biology (from Greek: βίος, bio, life; and λόγος, logos, speech lit. ... For other uses, see Temperature (disambiguation). ... Life on Earth redirects here. ... Cryopreservation of plant shoots. ... A representation of the 3D structure of myoglobin, showing coloured alpha helices. ... Hypothermia is a condition in which an organisms temperature drops below that Required fOr normal metabolism and Bodily functionS. In warm-blooded animals, core [[body Temperature]] is maintained nEar a constant leVel through biologic [[homEostasis]]. But wheN the body iS exposed to cold Its internal mechanismS may be unable... A cluster of Escherichia coli bacteria magnified 10,000 times. ... For other uses, see Plant (disambiguation). ... Invertebrate is an English word that describes any animal without a spinal column. ... For other uses, see Animal (disambiguation). ... This article refers to the process of hibernation in biology. ... A gamete (from Ancient Greek γαμετης; translated gamete = wife, gametes = husband) is a cell that fuses with another gamete during fertilization (conception) in organisms that reproduce sexually. ... For other uses, see Embryo (disambiguation). ... A cryoprotectant is a substance that is used to protect biological tissue from freezing damage (damage due to ice formation). ... Freeze drying (also known as Lyophilization) is a dehydration process typically used to preserve a perishable material, or to make the material more convenient for transport. ... Pharmacology (in Greek: pharmacon is drug, and logos is science) is the study of how chemical substances interfere with living systems. ... Cryosurgery (cryotherapy) is the application of extreme cold to destroy abnormal or diseased tissue. ... Supercool redirects here. ... This article is about water ice. ... Bubbles in a soft drink each nucleate independently, responding to a decrease in pressure. ... In thermal physics, heat transfer is the passage of thermal energy from a hot to a cold body. ...

Cryogenics

The branch of physics (or engineering) that studies very low temperatures (or the production of very low temperatures). People often confuse "cryogenics" with "cryonics".

Cryonics

Cryonics is the low temperature preservation of humans and animals in a damaged state with the intention of future revival. Cryonics uses information from many fields, including cryobiology, to reduce damage during preservation and measure what preservation is achieved. However no human has ever been revived from cryopreservation by cryonics, and proposed methods for revival are based on speculation concerning capabilities of future technology^[1]. Therefore cryonics is viewed with skepticism by most scientists and medical doctors today, although there are some scientists involved in cryonics.^[2]

Cryogenics is a branch of physics (or engineering) that studies the production of very low temperatures (below –150 °C, –238 °F or 123 K) and the behavior of materials at those temperatures. ... A magnet levitating above a high-temperature superconductor demonstrates the Meissner effect. ... Engineering is the discipline of acquiring and applying knowledge of design, analysis, and/or construction of works for practical purposes. ... Temperature is the physical property of a system which underlies the common notions of hot and cold; the material with the higher temperature is said to be hotter. ... Temperature is the physical property of a system which underlies the common notions of hot and cold; the material with the higher temperature is said to be hotter. ... Not to be confused with cryogenics. ... Not to be confused with cryogenics. ...

Historical Background

Boyle

Cryobiology history can be traced back to antiquity. As early as in 2500 BC low temperatures were used in Egypt in medicine. The use of cold was recommended by Hippocrates to stop bleeding and swelling. With the emergence of modern science, Robert Boyle studied the effects of low temperatures on animals. In the public domain by age When was it made? RedWolf 01:01, Jan 21, 2005 (UTC) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... In the public domain by age When was it made? RedWolf 01:01, Jan 21, 2005 (UTC) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... (Redirected from 2500 BC) (26th century BC - 25th century BC - 24th century BC - other centuries) (4th millennium BC - 3rd millennium BC - 2nd millennium BC) Events 2900 - 2334 BC -- Mesopotamian wars of the Early Dynastic period 2494 BC -- End of Fourth Dynasty, start of Fifth Dynasty in Egypt. ... For other uses, see Hippocrates (disambiguation). ... A magnet levitating above a high-temperature superconductor demonstrates the Meissner effect. ... Robert Boyle (Irish: Robaird Ó Bhaoill) (25 January 1627 – 30 December 1691) was an Irish natural philosopher, chemist, physicist, inventor, and early gentleman scientist, noted for his work in physics and chemistry. ...

In 1949 sperm was cryopreserved for the first time by a team of scientists led by Christopher Polge (1926-2006). This led to a much wider use of cryopreservation today, with many organs, tissues and cells routinely stored in low temperatures. Large organs such as hearts are usually stored and transported, for short times only, at cool but not freezing temperatures for transplantation. Cell suspensions (like blood and semen) and thin tissue sections can sometimes be stored almost indefinitely at liquid nitrogen temperature (cryopreservation). Human sperm, eggs and embryos are routinely stored in fertility research and treatments. In the early 2000s a baby was born from a cryopreserved egg fertilized by a cryopreserved sperm. A spermatozoon or spermatozoan ( spermatozoa), from the ancient Greek σπέρμα (seed) and (living being) and more commonly known as a sperm cell, is the haploid cell that is the male gamete. ... Cryopreservation of plant shoots. ... Cryopreservation of plant shoots. ... This article is about the biological unit. ... Biological tissue is a collection of interconnected cells that perform a similar function within an organism. ... Drawing of the structure of cork as it appeared under the microscope to Robert Hooke from Micrographia which is the origin of the word cell being used to describe the smallest unit of a living organism Cells in culture, stained for keratin (red) and DNA (green) The cell is the... For other uses, see Temperature (disambiguation). ... The heart and lungs, from an older edition of Grays Anatomy. ... An organ transplant is the transplantation of an organ (or part of one) from one body to another, for the purpose of replacing the recipients damaged or failing organ with a working one from the donor. ... Human blood smear: a - erythrocytes; b - neutrophil; c - eosinophil; d - lymphocyte. ... Horse semen being collected for breeding purposes. ... A tank of liquid nitrogen, used to supply a cryogenic freezer (for storing laboratory samples at a temperature of about -150 Celsius). ... Cryopreservation of plant shoots. ... For other uses, see Embryo (disambiguation). ... Fertility is the natural capability of giving life. ...

Cryosurgery (= intended and controlled tissue destruction by ice formation) was carried out by James Arnott in 1845 in an operation on a patient with cancer. Although not very widespread, cryosurgery has its benefits. Hypothermia, e.g. during heart surgery on a "cold" heart (generated by cold perfusion without any ice formation) allows for much longer operations and improves recovery rates for patients. Cryosurgery (cryotherapy) is the application of extreme cold to destroy abnormal or diseased tissue. ... Cancer is a class of diseases or disorders characterized by uncontrolled division of cells and the ability of these to spread, either by direct growth into adjacent tissue through invasion, or by implantation into distant sites by metastasis (where cancer cells are transported through the bloodstream or lymphatic system). ... Hypothermia is a condition in which an organisms temperature drops below that Required fOr normal metabolism and Bodily functionS. In warm-blooded animals, core [[body Temperature]] is maintained nEar a constant leVel through biologic [[homEostasis]]. But wheN the body iS exposed to cold Its internal mechanismS may be unable... Cardiac surgery is surgery on the heart, typically to correct congenital heart disease or the complications of ischaemic heart disease or valve problems caused by endocarditis. ...

Applied Cryobiology

Cryobiology as an applied science is primarily concerned with low temperature preservation. Hypothermic storage is typically above 0°C but below normothermic (32°C to 37°C) mammalian temperatures. Storage by cryopreservation, on the other hand, will be in the −80°C to −196°C temperature range. Organs, and tissues are more frequently the objects of hypothermic storage, whereas single cells have been the most common objects cryopreserved. For the song by 311, see Grassroots Applied science is the exact science of applying knowledge from one or more natural scientific fields to practical problems. ... Hypothermia is a condition in which an organisms temperature drops below that Required fOr normal metabolism and Bodily functionS. In warm-blooded animals, core [[body Temperature]] is maintained nEar a constant leVel through biologic [[homEostasis]]. But wheN the body iS exposed to cold Its internal mechanismS may be unable... Cryopreservation of plant shoots. ... This article is about the biological unit. ... Biological tissue is a group of cells that perform a similar function. ...

A rule of thumb in hypothermic storage is that every 10°C reduction in temperature is accompanied by a 50% decrease in oxygen consumption^[3]. Although hibernating animals have adapted mechanisms to avoid metabolic imbalances associated with hypothermia, hypothermic organs and tissues being maintained for transplantation require special preservation solutions to counter acidosis, depressed sodium pump activity and increased intracellular calcium. Special organ preservation solutions such as Viaspan (University of Wisconsin solution), HTK, and Celsior have been designed for this purpose^[4]. These solutions also contain ingredients to minimize damage by free radicals, prevent edema, compensate for ATP loss, etc. Aerobic exercise refers to exercise that is of moderate intensity, undertaken for a long duration. ... This article refers to the process of hibernation in biology. ... Structure of the coenzyme adenosine triphosphate, a central intermediate in energy metabolism. ... “Transplant” redirects here. ... For acidosis referring to acidity of the urine, see renal tubular acidosis. ... Simplified Diagram of the sodium pump Na+/K+-ATPase (also known as the Na+/K+ pump or Na+/K+ exchanger) is an enzyme (EC 3. ... For other uses, see Calcium (disambiguation). ... Viaspan®, also known as University of Wisconsin solution (UW solution), was the first solution thoughtfully designed for use in organ transplantation, and became the first intracellular-like preservation medium. ... Histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (Custodiol® HTK) solution is a high-flow, low-potassium preservation solution used for organ transplantation. ... In chemistry, radicals (often referred to as free radicals) are atomic or molecular species with unpaired electrons on an otherwise open shell configuration. ... This page is about the condition called edema. ... Adenosine 5-triphosphate (ATP) is a multifunctional nucleotide that is most important as a molecular currency of intracellular energy transfer. ...

Cryopreservation of cells is guided by the "Two-Factor Hypothesis" of American cryobiologist Peter Mazur, which states that excessively rapid cooling kills cells by intracellular ice formation and excessively slow cooling kills cells by either electrolyte toxicity or mechanical crushing^[5]. During slow cooling ice forms extracellularly, causing water to osmotically leave cells, thereby dehydrating them. Intracellular ice can be much more damaging than extracellular ice. An electrolyte is a substance containing free ions that behaves as an electrically conductive medium. ... // Toxic and Intoxicated redirect here – toxic has other uses, which can be found at Toxicity (disambiguation); for the state of being intoxicated by alcohol see Drunkenness. ... Osmosis is the spontaneous net movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from a region of low solute concentration to a solution with a high solute concentration, down a solute concentration gradient. ... Dehydration (hypohydration) is the removal of water (hydro in ancient Greek) from an object. ...

For red blood cells the optimum cooling rate is very rapid (nearly 100°C per second), whereas for stem cells the optimum cooling rate is very slow (1°C per minute). Cryoprotectants, such as DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) and glycerol, are used to protect cells from freezing. A variety of cell types are protected by 10% DMSO^[6]. Cryobiologists attempt to optimize cryoprotectant concentration (minimizing both ice formation and toxicity) as well as cooling rate. Cells may be cooled at an optimum cooling rate to a temperature between −30°C and −40°C before being plunged into liquid nitrogen. “Red cell” redirects here. ... Mouse embryonic stem cells with fluorescent marker. ... A cryoprotectant is a substance that is used to protect biological tissue from freezing damage (damage due to ice formation). ... Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is the chemical compound with the formula (CH3)2SO. This colorless liquid is an important polar aprotic solvent that dissolves both polar and nonpolar compounds and is miscible in a wide range of organic solvents as well as water. ... Glycerine, Glycerin redirects here. ... In physics and chemistry, freezing is the process whereby a liquid turns to a solid. ... A tank of liquid nitrogen, used to supply a cryogenic freezer (for storing laboratory samples at a temperature of about -150 Celsius). ...

Slow cooling methods rely on the fact that cells contain few nucleating agents, but contain naturally-occurring vitrifying substances that can prevent ice formation in cells that have been moderately dehydrated. Cryobiologists are increasingly using mixtures of cryoprotectants for full vitrification (zero ice formation) in preservation of cells, tissues and organs. Vitrification methods pose a challenge in the requirement to search for cryoprotectant mixtures that can minimize toxicity. Bubbles in a soft drink each nucleate independently, responding to a decrease in pressure. ... A vitrification experiment for the study of nuclear waste disposal at Pacific Northwest National Labs Vitrification is a process of converting a material into a glass-like amorphous solid which is free of any crystalline structure, either by the quick removal or addition of heat, or by mixing with an...

Scientific Societies

One of the two leading scientific societies in the field of cryobiology is the Society for Cryobiology. This society was founded in 1964 to bring together those from the biological, medical and physical sciences who have a common interest in the effect of low temperatures on biological systems. As of November 2006 the Society for Cryobiology had approximately 300 members from around the world, and one half of them are US based. The purpose of the Society is to promote scientific research in low temperature biology, to improve scientific understanding in this field, and to disseminate and apply this knowledge to the benefit of mankind. The Society requires of all its members the highest ethical and scientific standards in the performance of their professional activities. According to the Society's Bylaws membership may be refused to applicants whose conduct is deemed detrimental to the Society, this includes explicitly any practice or application of freezing deceased persons in the anticipation of their reanimation. This is the characteristic difference between "cryobiology" (which is a scientific discipline) and "cryonics". The Society organizes an annual scientific meeting dedicated to all aspects of low-temperature biology. This international meeting offers opportunities for presentation and discussion of the most up-to-date research in cryobiology as well as reviewing specific aspects through symposia and workshops. Members are also kept informed of news and forthcoming meetings through the Society newsletter, News Notes. The 2006-2007 President of the Society for Cryobiology is Andreas Sputtek^[7]. The Society for Cryobiology, an international scientific society, was founded in 1964. ... For other uses of terms redirecting here, see US (disambiguation), USA (disambiguation), and United States (disambiguation) Motto In God We Trust(since 1956) (From Many, One; Latin, traditional) Anthem The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City National language English (de facto)1 Demonym American... A bylaw (sometimes also spelled by-law or byelaw) was originally the Viking town law in the Danelaw. ... Medicament assisted rehabilitation conference in Oslo An academic conference is a conference for researchers (not always academics) to present and discuss their work. ...

The Society for Low Temperature Biology was founded in 1964 and became a Registered Charity in 2003 (Charity Commission for England & Wales No. 1099747) with the purpose of promoting research into the effects of low temperatures on all types of organisms and their constituent cells, tissues and organs. As of 2006 the Society for Low Temperature Biology had approximately 130 (mostly British and European) members and holds at least one Annual General Meeting. The program usually includes both a symposium on a topical subject and a session of free communications on any aspect of low temperature biology. Recent symposia have included long-term stability, preservation of aquatic organisms, cryopreservation of embryos and gametes, preservation of plants, low temperature microscopy, vitrification (glass formation of aqueous systems during cooling), freeze drying and tissue banking. Members are informed through the Society Newsletter, which is presently published 3 times a year. The 2005-2006 Chair of the Society for Low Temperature Biology has been Tiantian Zhang ^[8]. This article is about charitable organizations. ... The Charity Commission is the non-ministerial government department that regulates registered charities (and hence to some extent most churches) in England and Wales. ... Symposium originally referred to a drinking party (the Greek verb sympotein means to drink together) but has since come to refer to any academic conference, whether or not drinking takes place. ... A gamete (from Ancient Greek γαμετης; translated gamete = wife, gametes = husband) is a cell that fuses with another gamete during fertilization (conception) in organisms that reproduce sexually. ... Microscopy is any technique for producing visible images of structures or details too small to otherwise be seen by the human eye, using a microscope or other magnification tool. ... A vitrification experiment for the study of nuclear waste disposal at Pacific Northwest National Labs Vitrification is a process of converting a material into a glass-like amorphous solid which is free of any crystalline structure, either by the quick removal or addition of heat, or by mixing with an... Freeze drying (also known as Lyophilization) is a dehydration process typically used to preserve a perishable material, or to make the material more convenient for transport. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

A list of additional scientific societies (mostly using "applied" cryobiology) can be found here.

Journals

CRYOBIOLOGY, (publisher: Elsevier) is the foremost scientific publication in this area, with approximately 60 refereed contributions published each year. Articles concern any aspect of low temperature biology and medicine (e.g. freezing, freeze-drying, hibernation, cold tolerance and adaptation, cryoprotective compounds, medical applications of reduced temperature, cryosurgery, hypothermia, and perfusion of organs). Elseviers logo. ... Freeze drying (also known as Lyophilization) is a dehydration process typically used to preserve a perishable material, or to make the material more convenient for transport. ... A cryoprotectant is a substance that is used to protect biological tissue from freezing damage (damage due to ice formation). ... Cryosurgery (cryotherapy) is the application of extreme cold to destroy abnormal or diseased tissue. ... Hypothermia is a condition in which an organisms temperature drops below that Required fOr normal metabolism and Bodily functionS. In warm-blooded animals, core [[body Temperature]] is maintained nEar a constant leVel through biologic [[homEostasis]]. But wheN the body iS exposed to cold Its internal mechanismS may be unable...

There is an independent UK based rapid communication journal named CRYO LETTERS which publishes papers on the effects produced by low temperatures on a wide variety of biophysical and biological processes, or studies involving low temperature techniques in the investigation of biological and ecological topics. For the journal, see Ecology (journal). ...

CELL PRESERVATION TECHNOLOGY is a peer-reviewed quarterly scientific journal published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. dedicated to the diverse spectrum of preservation technologies including cryopreservation, dry-state (anhydrobiosis), glassy-state and hypothermic maintenance. Peer review (known as refereeing in some academic fields) is a scholarly process used in the publication of manuscripts and in the awarding of funding for research. ... Nature, Science and PNAS In academic publishing, a scientific journal is a periodical publication intended to further the progress of science, usually by reporting new research. ... Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. ... Cryopreservation of plant shoots. ... Cryptobiosis is an ametabolic state of life entered by some lower organisms in response to adverse environmental conditions such as desiccation, freezing, and oxygen deficiency. ... A vitrification experiment for the study of nuclear waste disposal at Pacific Northwest National Labs Vitrification is a process of converting a material into a glass-like amorphous solid which is free of any crystalline structure, either by the quick removal or addition of heat, or by mixing with an...

Notes

1. ^ Merkle RC (1992). "The technical feasibility of cryonics". Med Hypotheses 39 (1): 6-16. PMID 1435395. 
2. ^ Scientists' Open Letter on Cryonics. Immortality Institute. Retrieved on 2007-04-13.
3. ^ Raison JK (1973). "The influence of temperature-induced phase changes on the kinetics of respiratory and other membrane-associated enzyme systems.". J Bioenerg 4 (1): 285-309. PMID 4577759. 
4. ^ Mühlbacher F, Langer F, Mittermayer C (1999). "Preservation solutions for transplantation". Transplant Proc 31 (5): 2069-70. PMID 10455972. 
5. ^ Mazur P (1977). "The role of intracellular freezing in the death of cells cooled at supraoptimal rates". Cryobiology 14 (3): 251-72. PMID 330113. 
6. ^ Hunt CJ, Armitage SE, Pegg DE (2003). "Cryopreservation of umbilical cord blood: 1. Osmotically inactive volume, hydraulic conductivity and permeability of CD34(+) cells to dimethyl sulphoxide". Cryobiology 46 (1): 61-75. PMID 12623029. 
7. ^ Andreas Sputtek
8. ^ Tiantian Zhang

Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 103rd day of the year (104th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

See also

• Biostasis
• Cryogenics
• Cryonics
• Cryopreservation
• Cryoprotectant
• Cryosurgery
• Freezing
• Freeze Drying
• Hibernation
• Hypothermia
• Perfusion
• Tissue Engineering
• Transplantation
• Vitrification

This text has been inadvertently altered. ... Cryogenics is a branch of physics (or engineering) that studies the production of very low temperatures (below –150 °C, –238 °F or 123 K) and the behavior of materials at those temperatures. ... Not to be confused with cryogenics. ... Cryopreservation of plant shoots. ... A cryoprotectant is a substance that is used to protect biological tissue from freezing damage (damage due to ice formation). ... Cryosurgery (cryotherapy) is the application of extreme cold to destroy abnormal or diseased tissue. ... In physics and chemistry, freezing is the process whereby a liquid turns to a solid. ... Freeze drying (also known as Lyophilization) is a dehydration process typically used to preserve a perishable material, or to make the material more convenient for transport. ... This article refers to the process of hibernation in biology. ... Hypothermia is a condition in which an organisms temperature drops below that Required fOr normal metabolism and Bodily functionS. In warm-blooded animals, core [[body Temperature]] is maintained nEar a constant leVel through biologic [[homEostasis]]. But wheN the body iS exposed to cold Its internal mechanismS may be unable... In physiology, perfusion is the process of nutritive delivery of arterial blood to a capillary bed in the biological tissue. ... Tissue engineering is the use of a combination of cells, engineering and materials methods, and suitable biochemical and physio-chemical factors to improve or replace biological functions. ... An organ transplant is the transplantation of an organ (or part of one) from one body to another, for the purpose of replacing the recipients damaged or failing organ with a working one from the donor. ... A vitrification experiment for the study of nuclear waste disposal at Pacific Northwest National Labs Vitrification is a process of converting a material into a glass-like amorphous solid which is free of any crystalline structure, either by the quick removal or addition of heat, or by mixing with an...

External links

• Society for Cryobiology
• Society for Low Temperature Biology
• CRYOBIOLOGY
• CryoLetters
• Cell Preservation Technology
• 43rd Annual Meeting of the Society for Cryobiology in association with the Society for Low Temperature Biology, July 23 - 27, 2006, Hamburg, Germany
• 44th Annual Meeting of the Society for Cryobiology, July 28 - August 1, 2007, Lake Louise, Canada
• 45th Annual Meeting of the Society for Cryobiology, July 20 - 23, 2008, Charlotte, NC, USA
• Cellular cryobiology and anhydrobiology
• An overview of the science behind cryobiology at the Science Creative Quarterly