Pig kidneys that were “frozen” for a year have been brought back to life

October 16, 2026

Close up picture of a pig

(MIT Technology Review) – One day human organs could also be banked safely for future transplantation.

Pig kidneys that were cooled to -150 °C and stored in a freezer for months have been successfully rewarmed and shown to work again for the first time, say scientists. They hope to replicate the findings with human organs.

The kidneys—which are similar in size to human ones—were left in a glass-like state, in one case for over a year. Once they had been rewarmed, tested in machines, and transplanted into pigs, the kidneys regained their color and made urine—key signs they were working. (Read More)