Cryobiology

/ˌkraɪoʊbaɪˈɒlədʒi/ noun

Definition

The scientific study of living organisms, cells, and tissues at extremely low temperatures and how they survive or are preserved in frozen conditions.

Etymology

From Greek 'kryos' (cold) + 'bios' (life) + 'logia' (study). This field of study emerged formally in the 1950s as scientists began systematically freezing biological materials.

Kelly Says

Cryobiology made possible the freezing of human embryos, preservation of organs for transplant, and even the storage of genetic material from endangered species—it's the science that lets us put life on pause.

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