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Cryobiology is the study of living organisms, organs, biological tissues or biological cells at low temperatures. This knowledge is practically applied in three fields: cryonics, cryopreservation and cryosurgery.
Definitions/Distinctions
- Cryobiology: The branch of biology that studies the effects of low temperatures on organisms (most often for the purpose of achieving cryopreservation).
- Cryogenics: The branch of physics (or engineering) that studies very low temperatures (or the production of very low temperatures). People often mistakenly say "cryogenics" when they really mean "cryonics".
- Cryonics: Cryonics is the nascent technology of cryopreserving humans and animals with the intention of future revival. Unlike cryogenics or cryobiology, cryonics is not an established science and is viewed with skepticism by most scientists and doctors today. As a technology, cryonics seeks to apply the results of many sciences, including cryobiology, cryogenics, rheology, emergency medicine, etc.
Historical Background
Cryobiology history can be traced back to antiquity. As early as in 2500 BC low temperatures were used in Egypt in medicine. The use of cold was recommended by Hippocrates to stop bleeding and swelling. With the emergence of modern science, Robert Boyle studied the effects of low temperatures on animals.
In 1949 sperm was cryopreserved for the first time by a team of scientists led by S. Polge. This led to a much wider use of cryopreservation today, with many organs, tissues and cells routinely stored in low temperatures. Large organs such as hearts are usually stored and transported, for short times only, at cool but not freezing temperatures for transplantation. Cell suspensions (like blood and semen) and thin tissue sections can sometimes be stored almost indefinitely at liquid nitrogen temperature (cryopreservation). Human sperm, eggs and embryos are routinely stored in fertility research and treatments. Many people were born from cryopreserved sperm and eggs and in the early 2000s a baby was born from a cryopreserved egg fertilised by a cryopreserved sperm.
Cryosurgery was carried out by James Arnott in 1845 in an operation on a patient with cancer. Although not very widespread, cryosurgery has its benefits. For example, heart surgery on a cold heart (cooled with ice) allows for much longer operations and improves recovery rates for patients.
Modern developments
Discussions of modern developments in cryobiology can be found under cryopreservation and vitrification.
See also
External links
سرمازیستشناسی | Cryobiologie | Lághitalíffræði | Criobiologia | קריוביולוגיה | Criobiologia | Kriyobiyoloji
"Cryobiology"