# Pig Kidneys Revived After Yearlong Freeze

> Scientists revived pig kidneys frozen for over a year, showing they can function after thawing.
- Title: Pig Kidneys Revived After Yearlong Freeze | Shortify
- Summary: Scientists revived pig kidneys frozen for over a year, showing they can function after thawing. Pig kidneys frozen for a year have been successfully rewarmed…
- Keywords: pig kidneys, frozen organs, organ preservation, cryobiology, transplant surgery, university of minnesota, harvard medical school, cryoprotectants, iron oxide nanoparticles, vitrification, technology, science
- Source: MIT Technology Review — https://technologyreview.com/2026/10/15/1146091/pig-kidneys-that-were-frozen-for-a-year-have-been-brought-back-to-life
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: pig kidneys, frozen organs, organ preservation, cryobiology, transplant surgery, university of minnesota, harvard medical school, cryoprotectants, iron oxide nanoparticles, vitrification, technology, science
## First Breakthrough
Scientists successfully rewarmed pig kidneys frozen for over a year, showing they can function.

> Ten years ago … I wouldn’t say I had high hopes it was actually going to work
## How It Works
The kidneys were cooled to -150 °C using iron oxide nanoparticles and electromagnetic fields.
## Kidney Test Results
Rewarmed kidneys produced urine within a minute, indicating they were working.
## Yearlong Success
One kidney frozen for over a year produced urine immediately after rewarmed.
## Why It Matters
This breakthrough could solve organ shortages and reduce the need for lifelong immunosuppressant drugs.
## The Challenge
Rewarmed kidneys showed signs of injury, likely from cryoprotectant chemicals.
## Next Steps
Researchers plan to test kidneys in pigs over longer periods and explore human applications.
## Key Players
Erik Finger, a transplant surgeon at the University of Minnesota, co-led the research.
## Expert Reaction
Peter Kilbride, a cryobiologist, called it a breakthrough that could enable indefinite organ banking.
## The Process
Kidneys are cooled to -120 °C using cryoprotectants and iron oxide nanoparticles.
## Real-World Impact
This could help save lives in emergencies where immediate organ transplants are needed.
## Remaining Hurdles
The kidneys still produce less urine than expected and show signs of injury.
## Future Goals
Researchers aim to repair kidney damage and test the method with human organs.
## The Milestone
This is the first time pig kidneys have been frozen for a year and successfully rewarmed.
## Key takeaway

Pig kidneys frozen for a year have been successfully rewarmed and shown to work, marking a milestone in organ preservation.