Preprint reports functional recovery of vitrified, nanowarmed human-scale pig kidneys
Published in Biology, Nanowarming, Tools, Vitrification.
Published October 30, 2026.
An ATP-Bio research announcement dated October 15 reports recovery of human-scale pig kidneys after vitrification, storage at −150°C for up to one year and electromagnetic nanowarming. The associated study is a preprint and has not yet been peer reviewed.
The approximately 100-gram kidneys represent a substantial increase in size over earlier rodent experiments. The protocol combines the PEZ42 cryoprotectant formulation, perfusion at different temperatures, controlled cooling and staged volumetric rewarming to limit ice formation and thermal cracking.
Rewarmed kidneys showed vascular, metabolic and excretory activity during normothermic perfusion. In acute transplantation experiments, they reperfused and produced urine immediately.
These findings address important engineering barriers to organ banking. Immediate urine production and short-term experimental function do not establish durable, life-sustaining graft performance, clinical safety or readiness for human transplantation. The results also do not demonstrate reversible whole-body cryopreservation.
Sources: ATP-Bio research announcement, October 15, 2026. Han et al., “Functional recovery of vitrified and nanowarmed human-scale pig kidneys.” Preprint, DOI: 10.64898/2026.10.07.756990.