Scientists in China have developed a new chemical solution, called MEDY, that allows brain tissue to function after being frozen without significant damage. Freezing typically causes ice crystals to tear cells apart, but MEDY protects the tissue.

The research team at Fudan University tested various chemicals on lab-grown brain organoids, ultimately identifying a mixture of methylcellulose, ethylene glycol, DMSO, and Y27632 as the most effective.

Organoids preserved in MEDY showed growth and function similar to those never frozen, even after 18 months in storage.

The solution also protected living human brain tissue samples from epilepsy patients, preserving their cellular structure and pathological characteristics.

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This advancement could significantly impact biomedical research by allowing longer storage of brain organoids and tissue samples, and potentially could be applied to whole brains and other tissues in the future.