Electromagnetic-based cryopreservation and rewarming platform for extended storage of donor livers

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.

Abstract

Organ transplantation remains the only curative treatment for many patients with end-stage organ failure. However, more than 115,000 people remain on the transplant waiting list in the U.S., while only ~40,000 transplants are performed annually. Over 25% of donated livers - especially those from expanded criteria donors (ECD) and donation after circulatory death (DCD) - are discarded due to their short preservation window and heightened susceptibility to ischemic injury. Cryopreservation has the potential to revolutionize organ transplantation by enabling long-term storage, improved logistics, and greater equity in access. However, whole-organ cryopreservation remains largely unrealized due to key barriers: ICE formation, cryoprotectant toxicity, and the lack of rapid, uniform rewarming methods. This project aims to develop a next-generation cryopreservation and rewarming platform for donor livers by integrating advances in molecular modeling, cryobiology and electromagnetic engineering. Specifically, we will optimize vitrification solutions and validate a novel single- mode electromagnetic resonant (smer) system for rapid and uniform rewarming. Aim 1 will use molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to predict the dielectric properties of candidate vitrification solutions, followed by iterative experimental validation. Outputs from MD will train a deep learning algorithm (based on a convlstm architecture) to improve model accuracy and generate vitrification solution candidates tailored for smer heating. Aim 2 will develop a rodent liver perfusion and vitrification protocol, assess smer rewarming performance across liver samples, and evaluate post-warm viability and function through histological, metabolic, and functional assays. This project is strategically designed to engage undergraduate students in interdisciplinary biomedical research, leveraging their participation in computational modeling, hands-on laboratory experimentation, and data analysis. Undergraduate researchers will be actively engaged in molecular dynamics simulations, experimental characterization of vitrification solutions, viability testing, and the application of deep learning models. The depth and rigor of the proposed research activities will create opportunities for students to pursue capstone or departmental honors projects at seattle university, offering a valuable pathway toward graduate study and biomedical industry careers. Ultimately, this project aims to produce both scholarly impact and a sustained educational pipeline, preparing the future engineers and scientists to tackle critical challenges in organ preservation and regenerative medicine.