Currently we use liquid nitrogen, I think it's about 76 degrees Kelvin, the
boiling point. It's the cheapest and most convenient way to reach a fairly
low temperature. You can freeze and thaw individual mammalian cells, but
larger tissue is difficult, because of tissue destruction, freezing,
cracking. (as was mentioned) Vitrfication, sounds like a good idea, more
expensive, not sure if it would be less problematic or not.
Gina
-----
> Some other points to keep in mind:
>
> 1) Initially, only neuro patients can/will be vitrified. Whole body
> suspension will not lend itself to the vitrification technology for some
> as yet undetermined time.
>
> 2) Initially, these neuro patients will be stored at LN2 boiling point
> with little or no annealing. This will mean that these subjects will
> develop gross cracks that will need something like strong nt to
> resuscitate.
>
> 3) Nobody knows for sure what the "right" temperature is for long-term
> storage of a vitrified patient. Over a long enough run, it is
> conceivable that icing or cracks might occur.
>
> Still, very cool.
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