Cryobiology studies the effects of low temperatures on living organisms and biological materials. It includes natural cryobiology, cryosurgery, cryopreservation, cryonics, and more. Cryobiologists typically have a graduate degree and work in research for private companies or government organizations.
A cryobiologist studies the effects of low temperatures on living organisms and biological materials and systems. The term is a combination of the Greek words kyros, or cold, and bios, or life. A cryobiologist might be interested in how an organism stays warm in subnormal temperatures or in suspended animation, among other topics. Cells, organs, and entire organisms can be studied by a cryologist, who experiences temperatures ranging from mildly hypothermic to cryogenic or deep-freezing. Most cryobiologists are researchers from private companies or government agencies or professors associated with leading research universities.
As an applied science, cryobiology is primarily concerned with preservation and storage at low temperatures. The primary scientific society is the Society for Cryobiology, founded in 1964. The society’s purpose is to promote scientific research and understanding among cryobiologists and to disseminate their knowledge for the benefit of mankind.
There are many different topics of interest to a cryologist. Natural cryobiology is the study of how low temperatures affect insects, plants and vertebrates. Some of these organisms have learned to survive subzero temperatures, producing biomolecules that act like antifreeze. Cryobiologists can study how these biomolecules work and what practical and commercial applications they might have.
A branch of cryobiology that works to kill rather than preserve cells is cryosurgery. Cryosurgery treats conditions such as warts, small skin cancers and moles. The patient’s cells are exposed to very rapid cooling, usually using liquid nitrogen. A cryobiologist may work with a cryosurgeon, studying how the ice crystals that form inside target cells break those cells apart.
Some cryobiologists specialize in cryopreservation, or the process by which entire cells and tissues are preserved at low temperatures. This technique is directly applicable to organ transplantation. These cryobiologists work to make freezing and thawing organs for transplantation a practical and safe process that keeps donated tissues alive indefinitely. Cryopreservation is also used in fertility treatment, as more and more people freeze and later use sperm, eggs and embryos.
Cryonics is another branch of cryobiology. This practice preserves organisms and people for future revival by storing them at such a low temperature that metabolism and decay are halted. The hope is that a problem beyond the current level of technology can be resolved in the future. A cryobiologist may also be interested in combating freezing or studying vitrification.
Cryobiology is a specialization that is generally not offered at many undergraduate institutions. As a result, students often major in biology to earn their bachelor’s degree and focus on cryobiology as graduate students. An additional undergraduate degree in microbiology, biophysics, or biochemistry may be helpful. A cryobiologist usually requires a master’s or doctoral degree to secure a research or teaching position. A master’s degree may require an additional two years of coursework, while a doctorate adds another four to six.
Employment usually involves research for a private company or government organization. For example, an agency such as the Red Cross might hire a cryologist to help improve the preservation of human organs for transplantation. Some cryobiologists conduct independent research as faculty members at universities.
Most of these scientists work in a laboratory environment with chemicals like liquid nitrogen or in cold climates. Competition for positions and research grants can be fierce, but most cryobiologists begin working in the field while students employed as laboratory or research assistants. Cryobiologists must be able to work with teams as well as individually. As cryobiology is a rapidly changing field, a cryobiologist must always be aware of new research and advances.
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