Project Grant R15DK147819

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases awarded Seattle University $512,596 on September 1, 2026, under the Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research program (CFDA 93.847) to develop an electromagnetic-based cryopreservation and rewarming platform for extended storage of donor livers.

The project addresses the critical shortage of available donor livers by advancing whole-organ cryopreservation technology. Over 25 percent of donated livers, particularly those from expanded criteria donors and donation after circulatory death cases, are currently discarded due to short preservation windows and ischemic injury susceptibility. The platform development integrates molecular modeling, cryobiology, and electromagnetic engineering to overcome key barriers: ice formation, cryoprotectant toxicity, and inadequate rewarming methods.

Work activities include optimizing vitrification solutions through molecular dynamics simulations and deep learning algorithms trained to predict dielectric properties of candidate solutions, and developing a single-mode electromagnetic resonant system for rapid, uniform rewarming. Validation will occur through rodent liver perfusion protocols, with post-rewarming viability and function assessed via histological, metabolic, and functional assays. The project is designed to engage undergraduate students in interdisciplinary biomedical research.

Performance occurs in Seattle, Washington, with a period of performance from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2029. This is a Project Grant assistance type.