Brain function after cryopreservation

Cryopreservation of brain tissue structures

Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us.

In this episode, Alexander German explains how to cryopreserve brain tissue through vitrification.

In this episode, we cover:
•[00:00] Introduction.
•[01:14] Physician-scientist Alexander German introduces the problems with traditional cryopreservation methods.
•[02:22] German explains why we cryopreserve tissue.
•[03:23] He tells about vitrification and why it's different than traditional cryopreservation.
•[04:13] German explains why osmotic stress is a concern in cryopreservation.
•[04:51] He talks about how the protocol minimizes damage to brain structures and tissues.
•[06:26] He recounts the tests they performed to evaluate the preservation and function of the vitrified tissues.
•[07:03] German describes the usefulness of vitrification.
•[08:48] He lists the caveats and limitations of the study.
•[10:03] Conclusion.

About Our Guest:

Alexander German
Resident
Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg

View related content here: https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.2516848123

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