The volume at hand presents the proceedings at the first scientific cryonics symposium in Germany with additional contributions by expert authors. The topics discussed encompass the scientific basis of cryonics, latest progresses in cryoconservation as well as problems and obstacles and biological foundations. Why do we age? Are there means to extend the life span? Can cryonic preservation be realistic? What are the ethical implications? Which influences does the movement of transhumanism have on cryonics? Different conceptions of cryopreservation are discussed, technical challenges and logistics of transportation on ice are addressed as well as proper education in applied cryonics. The example of the return of a frozen kidney to life is presented as well as the roots of cryonics in the ‘ice age’ of heart surgery and perspectives for cryobiology in emergency medicine after severe lesions.

This second volume of the Applied Human Cryobiology series contains presentations on the second German scientific symposium 2014 in Dresden as well as contributions of outstanding scientists in cryonics. Included are laudations to the awardees of the Robert Ettinger Medal. The brain as the only totally individualized human organ cannot be replaced (e.g. by cloning or stem cells). Therefore analyses of brain structure as well as studies in the postmortem stability of this organ are crucial for methods of vitrification and the rewarming of cryonics patients. Other organs and organisms are useful models for the development and testing of cryopreservation methods. These require strategies for the control and prevention of cryopreservation damage as well as damage caused by dying. New technologies can help to achieve these aims. An important field of research in this context is molecular repair. The further development of cryonics needs self-control, e.g. by analysis of its historical development and actual progress. Cryonics represents a method of life span extension and can be supported by other methods favoring longevity. This volume demonstrates that substantial progress has been made in all of these fields of research as well as in the application of the results of this research.

This book discusses the state of cryobiology, which is currently developing into an important and innovative field of medicine. It is already routine to preserve and revive cells and small tissue samples through cooling. The current development of organ cryopreservation with the aim of preserving human transplant organs and making them available to remedy the shortage of transplants will be discussed. Preservation of the entire human body is also a long-term goal which may come a little more into reach by such development. The processes involved in the cooling of tissues, using vitrification and cryoprotection, are discussed in detail. The many experiments on cells, tissues and organs at non-cryogenic and cryogenic temperatures below 0°C are compiled and evaluated. Obstacles to the methods and the development of means to overcome them are another topic. The astonishing survival of cells following oxygen deprivation is presented with regard to the still inadequate methods of post-mortem tissue cryopreservation. The possibilities of repairing and reactivating tissues form another chapter. The book ends with an outlook on the development of amazing new methods and procedures for cryoprotection, the prevention of ice crystals and stress fractures, and the restoration of tissues. The work addresses a general audience as well as academics and, in particular, scientists who want to find out about the state of research in the field of cryobiology cryoprotection in general and organ and body preservation in particular.

The volume at hand presents the proceedings at the first scientific cryonics symposium in Germany with additional contributions by expert authors. The topics discussed encompass the scientific basis of cryonics, latest progresses in cryoconservation as well as problems and obstacles and biological foundations. Why do we age? Are there means to extend the life span? Can cryonic preservation be realistic? What are the ethical implications? Which influences does the movement of transhumanism have on cryonics? Different conceptions of cryopreservation are discussed, technical challenges and logistics of transportation on ice are addressed as well as proper education in applied cryonics. The example of the return of a frozen kidney to life is presented as well as the roots of cryonics in the ‘ice age’ of heart surgery and perspectives for cryobiology in emergency medicine after severe lesions.

This second volume of the Applied Human Cryobiology series contains presentations on the second German scientific symposium 2014 in Dresden as well as contributions of outstanding scientists in cryonics. Included are laudations to the awardees of the Robert Ettinger Medal. The brain as the only totally individualized human organ cannot be replaced (e.g. by cloning or stem cells). Therefore analyses of brain structure as well as studies in the postmortem stability of this organ are crucial for methods of vitrification and the rewarming of cryonics patients. Other organs and organisms are useful models for the development and testing of cryopreservation methods. These require strategies for the control and prevention of cryopreservation damage as well as damage caused by dying. New technologies can help to achieve these aims. An important field of research in this context is molecular repair. The further development of cryonics needs self-control, e.g. by analysis of its historical development and actual progress. Cryonics represents a method of life span extension and can be supported by other methods favoring longevity. This volume demonstrates that substantial progress has been made in all of these fields of research as well as in the application of the results of this research.

This book discusses the state of cryobiology, which is currently developing into an important and innovative field of medicine. It is already routine to preserve and revive cells and small tissue samples through cooling. The current development of organ cryopreservation with the aim of preserving human transplant organs and making them available to remedy the shortage of transplants will be discussed. Preservation of the entire human body is also a long-term goal which may come a little more into reach by such development. The processes involved in the cooling of tissues, using vitrification and cryoprotection, are discussed in detail. The many experiments on cells, tissues and organs at non-cryogenic and cryogenic temperatures below 0°C are compiled and evaluated. Obstacles to the methods and the development of means to overcome them are another topic. The astonishing survival of cells following oxygen deprivation is presented with regard to the still inadequate methods of post-mortem tissue cryopreservation. The possibilities of repairing and reactivating tissues form another chapter. The book ends with an outlook on the development of amazing new methods and procedures for cryoprotection, the prevention of ice crystals and stress fractures, and the restoration of tissues. The work addresses a general audience as well as academics and, in particular, scientists who want to find out about the state of research in the field of cryobiology cryoprotection in general and organ and body preservation in particular.