Compendium of Organ & Tissue Banking Concepts

The preservation and banking of organs and tissues after donor harvest is a longstanding medical goal that has until recently seen only incremental progress. However, in the same way that we currently bank stem cells, sperm, embryos, some tissues and organ slices, it is possible to control biological time for whole organs and other large tissue systems through methods like vitrification and controlled hypothermia. An ever increasing shortage of organs and tissues leads to millions of premature deaths and results in massive costs to society. The ability to bank organs and tissues would have an immediate impact on transplant medicine, surgical cancer treatment, the treatment of combat trauma and industrial accidents, and on the ability to prepare for mass casualty events. Based on progress over the last 10 years it now looks like the goal of organ and tissue banking may be within reach for the first time. In addition to its relevance for Department of Defense health goals, several other US Government agencies have a vested interest in such a capability, including the Department of Health and Human Services, the National Institutes of Health, the Veteran’s Administration, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Preparedness and Response, and the multi-billion dollar US Project Bioshield as well as NASA’s Technology Roadmap for Human Health, Life Support and Habitation Systems. For example, outside of the military health goals, an estimated 35% of all annual U.S. deaths could be prevented or substantially delayed by organ transplantation. And two million civilians are living with limb loss in the US with an additional 185,000 amputations conducted each year. The publication of three SBIR grant topics on organ and tissue banking during the 2015.1 cycle represents the largest opportunity for funding of innovative organ and tissue banking efforts so far.