Mark Woodward | Hope and Challenges in Whole Organism Cryopreservation
Biotech and Health Extension sponsored by 100 Plus Capital
Hope and Challenges in Whole Organism Cryopreservation
Bio: Mark did his undergrad and masters at Stanford University under Andrew Ng, his Ph.D. at Harvard University focused on machine learning, and most recently he was a researcher on Google’s renowned Brain Team. In 2025, Mark founded Wake Bio, a startup using machine learning and rapid experimentation to develop technologies for reversibly preserving whole organisms — with the goal of reversibly preserving humans. (https://www.wake.bio)
Abstract: In this talk, Mark will cover the challenges and approaches to scaling cryopreservation from the early success of human embryo preservation to larger tissues and organisms. He will cover ice nucleation and growth, hypothermic devices, high-subzero preservation, and vitrification. He will also cover convective, dielectric, and inductive warming, and efforts to develop improved cryoprotective chemical cocktails. In short, while challenges exist, there are a number of skilled researchers, with diverse approaches, making progress toward the goal of scaling up cryopreservation.
Biotech and Health Extension sponsored by 100 Plus Capital
A group of scientists, entrepreneurs, funders, and institutional allies who cooperate to advance biotechnology to reverse aging and extend human healthspan. This group is sponsored by 100 Plus Capital.
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