TECHNOLOGY
Historical Preservation Media
Cryopreservation
Media utilized for cryopreservation (frozen storage) has historically focused on the cryoprotectant agent(s). This began with the discovery in 1949 that glycerol allowed for successful cryopreservation of animal sperm, and the identification a decade later that dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was able to further improve cryopreservation results. Further development of cryopreservation and vitrification (ice-free) methods continued to focus on cryoprotectant agents (CPA) for prevention of ice formation such as DMSO, glycerol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and various sugars, cooling rate optimization, and poorly understood cytoprotectants such as serum and proteins. These avenues of investigation were major advances but neglected to prioritize the vehicle solution or media that was utilized to deliver the CPA to the cells, and the cell itself was viewed as a passive participant in the overall process.
Hypothermic Preservation
Hypothermic preservation (non-frozen chilled temperatures) has been recognized as a method for reduction of cell and tissue damage for short periods of time (hours to days). In 1939, surface cooling of ischemic limbs was found to confer preservation ability for rat limb survival. Hypothermia played an important role in the development of cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, and the demonstration that cold storage was an effective means of kidney preservation stimulated the development of cold storage solutions for the purpose of organ preservation. Early development of hypothermic preservation solutions focused on mirroring the components of blood plasma or extracellular fluid. Again, these avenues were major building blocks of development but did not focus on the cellular and molecular needs of the cell in relation to the stress of low temperature preservation.
Discovery and Innovation at BioLife
Our unique approach to improving low temperature preservation of cells and tissues combined the experience and intellectual resources of both cryobiologists and cell/molecular biologists. Cryopreservation and hypothermic storage are stress conditions that result in cellular changes in response to low temperature excursions. In addition to potential ice crystal damage in cryopreservation, both methods of preservation experience an interval of hypothermic insult. The ability of low temperatures to reduce cellular metabolic demands is countered by cellular changes such as reduced membrane fluidity, reduction in ionic gradient control by ATP-driven pumps, generation of enzymatic intermediates and increase in free radicals. All of these stresses can lead to the onset of apoptosis and necrosis as a result of low temperature preservation.
Our team focused on the cell itself and how cells respond to low temperature stresses that result from preservation. By formulating solutions that balance the cells at low temperatures, our team developed innovative solutions that result in improved hypothermic preservation and a more balanced vehicle solution for cryoprotectants utilized in cryopreservation. In contrast to extracellular-like solutions (such as culture media and saline) that historically were the basis for delivery of cryoprotectants to the cells, as well as the basis for hypothermic organ preservation solutions, our HypoThermosol™ platforms are intracellular-like formulations that better maintain the ionic balance of cells specifically at hypothermic and freezing temperatures.
In numerous cell and tissue types preserved in HypoThermosol or CryoStor, we have demonstrated significant reduction in the levels of apoptosis and necrosis in comparison to traditional preservation media. Biologics preserved with our products have demonstrated increased post-preservation cell yield, viability, and functional return. Specific to cryopreservation, this improved preservation performance also enabled reduction in the concentrations of cryoprotectants while allowing for the elimination of serum and serum-derived proteins.
Please contact us to learn how our proprietary, patented preservation media products can improve your preservation outcomes.