Michael J. Taylor

Adjunct Professor, Mechanical Engineering

Education

Research

Dr. Taylor's research interests include: applications of low temperature in medicine and surgery; in vitro preservation of transplantable tissues; prevention of ischemic injury in vivo, with emphasis on hypothermic neuroprotection and myocardial preservation; mechanisms of cryoinjury in multicellular tissues with an emphasis on the development of ice-free methods of cryopreservation. Dr. Taylor has 30 years experience in the field of low-temperature biology and medicine, and is credited with more than 150 publications and patents in this field.

Dr. Taylor is Vice President for Research and Development, Cell & Tissue Systems, Inc. As specialists in cell, tissue, and organ preservation, ORS is a leading contributor to the field of Transplantation, Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering. The science of biopreservation is a specialized field critically important for the supply of viable products for transplantation. The Company's cell and tissue research is studying two critical factors impacting successful preservation of biomaterials: (1) The detrimental effects of ice formation, a major technical barrier that has historically limited progress in long-term storage by cryopreservation and, (2) the use of anhydrobiosis (drying) as an alternative approach to stabilizing biological systems, preferably without the need for freezing or subzero temperatures. The research focus in organ preservation is the development of chemical solutions and perfusion machines for extended preservation of kidneys, livers, pancreas and hearts for clinical transplantation.

One of the leading causes of cryoinjury is the thermo-mechanical stress associated with freezing. In collaboration with Profs. Yoed Rabin and Paul Steif of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at CMU, Dr. Taylor is investigating the likelihood of fracture formation during cryopreservation, with the goal of developing improved cryopreservation techniques. The current phase of this collaborative effort is focused on glass formation of cryopreservation solutions, known also as 'vitrification.'

View Thermo-Mechanical Stress in Cryopreserved Blood Vessels

Selected Publications