X-Message-Number: 128
From arpa!diku.dk!stodol Wed Sep 13 20:05:37 +0200 1989
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Date: Wed, 13 Sep 89 20:05:37 +0200
From: David Stodolsky <>
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Subject: CRYONICS - Sugar stasis

Trayilos (sp?) sugar has been used successfully to preserve a wide range of 
plant and animal materials. Its use has been known since 1620. Dried ferns 
have been reactivated after a 100 years, and Brine shrimp embryos (found in 
San Francisco Bay) naturally dry out and are reactivated by adding water after 
years. Brewer's yeast can be stored for years in dried form because of this 
mechanism of stasis. According to Bruce Roser (sp ?), Quadrant Research 
Foundation, U.K., limitations on application are one's imagination rather then 

the process itself. Trayilos is an extremely stable disaccharide. Its mechanism
of action is gradual immobilization of biomaterials in an increasingly thick 
sugar solution as water evaporates. Finally, the material assumes a glass like 
vitreous form. Applications under consideration include portable "wet" lab on 
a tray for blood typing.

Source: "Discovery", program segment on cryptobiology, B. B. C., 89.9.5.

David S. Stodolsky, PhD      Routing: <@uunet.uu.net:>
Department of Psychology                  Internet: <>
Copenhagen Univ., Njalsg. 88                  Voice + 45 31 58 48 86
DK-2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark                  Fax. + 45 31 54 32 11

[ Message #6 cited the Feb. 13, 1988 (not 1989) Science News cover article on
  microorganisms that survive dessication by forming hydrogen bonds between
  the cell membranes and sugars such as trehalose. - KQB ]

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