Cod Blood Inspires Freezing Technique for Blood

Feb-07-14 Inspired by the blood of the Arctic-dwelling cod, scientists have developed a new process that allows human blood to be frozen for storage and then quickly prepared for transfusion.

Although blood can be stored cryogenically already, an organic solvent at a ratio as high as 1:1 must be added to the blood before it is frozen. Then the solvent must be removed from the blood after it has been thawed, which can take several days.

To avoid the need for such a delay, the team from the University of Warwick created a polymer, called polyvinyl alcohol, derived from wood glue. The polymer works in the same way as the antifreeze chemicals found in cold-water fish like the arctic cod, and like the solvents, prevents the formation of ice crystals as the blood thaws. However, the polymer does not have to be removed after the blood has been defrosted, which allows the blood to be used immediately.

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[GIZMAG.COM]
[WARWICK]

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