Xu Han, PhD

Xu Han, PhD

Medicine

Adjunct Associate Professor of Research

Division

Cardiovascular Medicine

Profile

Xu Han, PhD, is a cryobiologist with unique experience in transplantation and transfusion practices and cell-based regenerative medicine, tissue engineering and other therapeutic applications. He has more than a decade of continuous research support funded by the NIH, DOD, USDA and the Coulter Foundation.

Dr. Han’s research focuses on achieving controlled manipulation of ice crystal structure and growth on a nanometer scale in biological or bioartificial systems to preserve the viability of live tissue cells for use after freezing and thawing. The discoveries from his translational research in biochemistry, biophysics and thermodynamics have enabled the establishment of a new “biocompatible” and highly efficient tissue cryopreservation technology platform, including four key inventions with Dr. Han as the leading inventor.

These inventions have not only significantly improved efficiency in the cryopreservation of transplantable donor or bioengineered cells and tissues, but also removed the need for cryogenic liquid nitrogen facilities (which typically need temperatures of -196 C) for long-term storage by enabling stable shelf-life in regular laboratory deep freezers (-80 C). His work eliminates the need for traditional cell permeating toxic cryoprotectants (e.g., Dimethyl sulfoxide) for establishing cryo-inventory of these “living drugs.” 

Academic Information

Adjunct Associate Professor of Research

Office

University of Missouri Life Science Incubator 126G
1601 S. Providence Rd
Columbia, MO 65211
United States

Research Interests

  • Cell and tissue cryopreservation
  • Cardiac preservation and transplantation
  • Ice formation and vitrification mechanism
  • Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine

Areas of Expertise

  • Cryobiology and Biophysics
  • Thermodynamics and phase transition
  • Numerical simulation and molecular dynamics
  • Biomedical device development and production

Education & Training

Degrees

PhD, University of Kentucky, Cryobiology and Mechanical Engineering
BS, University of Science and Tech of China

Postdoctoral Fellowship

University of Missouri Columbia, MO, Cryopreservation and Comparative Medicine

Awards & Honors

  • 2022 Idea Development Award, MBRP Burn Program, Department of Defense
  • 2022 Innovation Award, Mid-America Transplant
  • 2021 NIH Innovation Showcase Company, National Institute of Health
  • 2018 Coulter Translational Research Partnership Award, Coulter Foundation & University of Missouri
  • 2016 University of Missouri Fast-Track Award, University of Missouri System
  • 2016 Outstanding Reviewer, Elsevier
  • 2015 Coulter Translational Research Partnership Award, Coulter Foundation
  • 2014 Faculty Innovation Award, University of Missouri-Columbia
  • 2013 University Intellectual Property Fast-Track Award, University of Missouri-Columbia
  • 2011 Top Reviewer for the Journal of Cryobiology, Elsevier
  • 2003-2005 Computational Sciences Research Scholarship, University of Kentucky

Publications

  • Corcoran J., Han X, (2022) Improved cryopreservation media formulations reduce costs of maintenance while preserving function of genetically modified insect cells. In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology, accepted for publication
  • Han X, White H, Koulen P. 2022. Efficient Biocompatible Cryopreservation Medium That Eliminates the Need for Cell Permeating Cryoprotectants. PCT/USA63/170673.
  • Han X, White H, Koulen P. 2019. Improved Ultra-Fast Cooling System and Methods of Use, PCT/US19/26162
  • Han X, Koulen P, Crister J. 2019. An Efficient Cryopreservation Device Preventing the Direct Contact Between Samples and Extracellular Ice, PCT/US19/48986
  • Mao Y, Zhang Y, Han X (2018). Cryoprotective Mechanism of Using Ficoll for Cell cryopreservation at Non-Cryogenic Temperatures: A Molecular Dynamics Study. Int. J. of Heat and Mass Transfer. 127: 319-325.
  • Han X, Koulen P, Crister J. 2018. An Efficient Cryopreservation Device Preventing the Direct Contact Between Samples and Extracellular Ice, US62/724,959
  • Han X, White H, Koulen P. 2018. Improved Ultra-Fast Cooling System and Methods of Use US62/652,986
  • Yuan Y, Yang Y, Tian Y, Park J, Dai A, Roberts RM, Liu Y, Han X (2016). Efficient longterm cryopreservation of pluripotent stem cells at -80 °C. Scientific reports. 6:34476.
  • Han X (2016). Direct microscale measurement of mouse oocyte membrane permeability to water and ethylene glycol at subzero temperatures using cryomicroscopy. Cryo letters. 2016; 37(6):394-400.
  • Han X (2016). A Theoretical and Experimental Investigation of Mechanical Damage to Rodent Sperm Generated by Microscale Ice Formation. Cryo letters. 2016; 37(6):388-393.
  • Han X, Yuan Y, and Roberts R.M. 2017. Cryopreservation Medium And Method To Prevent Recrystallization, PCT/US2017/032606.