ROOM TEMPERATURE STORAGE OF ORGANS

摘要

The present invention relates generally to compositions and method for freezing and/or drying organs for storage prior to use. In particular, the present invention relates to the genetic modification of cells used to form organs so that organs formed from the genetically modified cells can be dried. According to the invention, mammalian cells may be modified with genes encoding plant late embryogenesis protein HVAI, trehalose transport protein, or a trehalose synthesis pathway. The invention also provides methods of treating patients with organs that have been preserved by freezing and/or drying.