What does vitrification mean?
To define vitrification in simple terms: it is the process of transforming a liquid into a glass-like solid without the formation of ice crystals. It comes from the Latin vitrum, meaning glass, and describes a state where molecules are immobilized, but without becoming crystalline like ice.
In the world of cryopreservation, vitrification is used to prevent the damaging effects of freezing. Rather than allowing tissues to form sharp, destructive ice crystals, scientists introduce special chemicals called cryoprotectants and then rapidly cool the body to ultra-low temperatures. This allows it to solidify into a smooth, stable state — like glass — without damage.
Why is vitrification used instead of freezing?
When biological tissues freeze in the traditional sense, water inside and around cells turns into ice. Ice expands and forms sharp crystals that rupture membranes and destroy delicate cellular structures.
In contrast, vitrification:
- Prevents crystal formation entirely
- Maintains cellular and structural integrity
- Preserves organs and even entire bodies for long-term storage
This is especially important in cryonics, where the structure of the brain — including memory, personality, and identity — must remain as intact as possible for any future revival to be conceivable.
How does vitrification work in cryonics?
At Tomorrow.bio, the vitrification process involves several precise medical steps:
- Stabilization: After legal death is declared, the patient is cooled and connected to a perfusion system.
- Cryoprotectant perfusion: The blood is replaced with cryoprotective agents that lower the freezing point and prevent crystallization.
- Rapid cooling: The body is cooled to below -130°C, the temperature at which vitrification occurs. Eventually, the patient is stored at -196°C in liquid nitrogen.
- Long-term storage: The vitrified state is maintained indefinitely without the need for electricity — only liquid nitrogen is required.
This process preserves both the biochemical composition and physical structure of tissues, including the brain, which is critical for future revival potential.
Is vitrification used in medicine today?
Yes — and quite successfully.
Vitrification is currently used to preserve:
- Human embryos and eggs for in-vitro fertilization
- Sperm for fertility preservation
- Stem cells used in cancer therapies
- Skin, corneas, and other tissues for transplantation
In all of these cases, vitrified samples can be thawed and function normally. This success in smaller systems gives scientists hope that, in the future, vitrification could also preserve whole organs — and eventually, entire bodies — for repair and revival.
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Can vitrification be reversed?
It depends on the scale.
- For cells and small tissues: yes, vitrification is already reversible.
- For whole organs: partially — research is ongoing, with some promising results.
- For entire humans: not yet. Current technology cannot revive a vitrified person, but the preservation methods are continually improving.
Cryopreservation, including vitrification, is a bet on future technology: the idea that, if we can preserve someone well today, future medicine may find ways to bring them back.
Why vitrification matters in cryonics
Without vitrification, the freezing process would destroy the body, especially the brain. Ice would shred synaptic connections and erase the very essence of what makes someone who they are.
Vitrification preserves:
- Neuronal structure and brain tissue
- DNA and cellular architecture
- Organ integrity
- The possibility of future revival
That’s why vitrification is not just a technique — it’s the foundation of ethical, responsible cryopreservation.
So how do you define vitrification in cryonics?
To sum it up: vitrification is the scientific process that allows for biological preservation at low temperatures without destructive ice. It’s the reason cryopreservation is even possible, and it’s the key to maintaining hope for future medical revival.
If you’re interested in exploring cryopreservation, understanding vitrification is the first step in making an informed, future-facing choice.
About Tomorrow.bio
At Tomorrow.bio, we are dedicated to advancing the science of cryopreservation with the goal of giving people and pets a second chance at life. As Europe’s leading cryopreservation provider, we focus on rapid, high-quality standby, stabilization, and storage of terminal patients — preserving them until future medical technologies may allow revival and treatment.
Our mission is to make cryopreservation a reliable and accessible option for everyone. We believe that no life — human or animal — should end because current medical capabilities fall short.
📧 Contact us at: hello@tomorrow.bio
🌐 Visit our website: www.tomorrow.bio
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