Grant: Idea to Innovation

The preservation of cells and tissues has been performed on a regular basis and specific protocols have been employed since the early 1950's. Two different modes of preservation are typically employed: short-term hypothermic storage (chilled) and long-term storage at subzero temperatures (cryopreserved). Under subzero conditions all cell metabolic processes are shut down for extended periods of time. A major problem associated with cryopreservation is the incomplete restoration of all cellular functions after thawing and significant cell loss remains inevitable. The goal of this proposal is to develop a prototype cryopreservation medial to demonstrate the effectiveness of novel synthetic antifreeze glycoprotein (AFGP) mimetics for existing and emerging cell cryopreservation applications. This will strengthen our proof of concept data that shows that our AFGP mimetics can inhibit ice recrystallization, and reduce cold-induced apoptosis (cell death).