Artificial Proteins Boost Donor Organ Storage Time

Breakthrough research from Eindhoven University and partners creates 'biological antifreeze' to extend organ preservation.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Scientists have successfully designed and produced artificial proteins capable of preventing ice crystal formation, effectively creating a biological 'antifreeze' that can significantly extend the lifespan of organs for transplant. This breakthrough, led by researchers from Eindhoven University of Technology, Wageningen University & Research, and Washington University, was inspired by natural antifreeze proteins found in certain fish species and utilizes E. coli bacteria to manufacture the artificial proteins in a scalable and cost-efficient manner.

Why it matters

Extending the storage time of donor organs could dramatically reduce wait times for transplants and improve patient outcomes. The potential applications of these artificial antifreeze proteins extend beyond organ transplants, with possible uses in cell therapy, sperm preservation, and tissue engineering.

The details

The team, led by Ilja Voets at TU/e and Renko de Vries at WUR, turned to artificial intelligence to computationally design proteins with specific ice-binding properties, effectively creating a new family of antifreeze proteins. Rather than relying on natural sources, the researchers utilize E. Coli bacteria to manufacture these artificial proteins in a laboratory setting, allowing for scalable and cost-efficient production. Additionally, researcher Tim Hogervorst at TU/e discovered that the essential properties of these proteins could be transferred to polymer-based materials, potentially simplifying production even further.

  • The project has received a €150,000 Proof of Concept grant from the European Research Council to support the development of a practical, real-world product.

The players

Ilja Voets

A researcher at Eindhoven University of Technology and co-leader of the research team.

Renko de Vries

A researcher at Wageningen University & Research and co-leader of the research team.

Rob de Haas

A PhD student at Wageningen University & Research and first author of the publication in PNAS.

Tim Hogervorst

A researcher at Eindhoven University of Technology who discovered that the essential properties of the artificial proteins could be transferred to polymer-based materials.

The Gate

A collaborator with Eindhoven University of Technology to explore transforming this discovery into a practical product.

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What they’re saying

“Nature has already found ways to handle freezing temperatures.”

— Rob de Haas, PhD student at Wageningen University & Research (PNAS)

What’s next

The project has received a €150,000 Proof of Concept grant from the European Research Council, which will support the development of a practical, real-world product. This funding will be instrumental in bridging the gap between laboratory research and clinical implementation.

The takeaway

This breakthrough in artificial antifreeze proteins has the potential to revolutionize organ transplantation, cell therapy, and tissue engineering, ultimately improving patient outcomes and expanding the boundaries of biomedical science through interdisciplinary collaboration and advanced technology.