Cryopreservation of biological samples – A short review. (2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jungare, Kshitij Ambadas; Radha, R.; Sreekanth, D.
• Is Part Of: Materials today. Volume 51:Part 3(2022)
• Page Start: 1637
• Page End: 1641
• Publication Date: 2022
• Subjects: Cryopreservation -- Cryoprotectants -- Vitrification -- Thawing -- Freeze-drying; Materials science -- Congresses -- Periodicals; 620.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matpr.2021.11.203
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2214-7853

Abstract

Abstract: The storage and preservation of human tissues, cells, and organs is a very important process in clinical as well as in research. The technique called 'Cryopreservation' is commonly used for it. The cryopreservation involves the addition of cryoprotective agents (CPAs) also known as cryoprotectants while storing the tissues or organs in a sub-zero environment. These CPAs are considered of utmost importance while preserving these biological specimens as they control osmotic stress which is the main contributor to the rampant cell death during cryopreservation. Different types of cells require different preservation conditions which can become a problem if a person doesn't know the effects of them and may result in the destruction of those samples or specimens. The rates of cooling and thawing also affect the viability of cells after the recovery. If the cells are frozen too fast or if it is thawed too slow then the water inside the cells gets a chance to nucleate and then the osmotic stress may cause severe injuries to the cells. Freeze-drying is also done in some cases to preserve biomaterials. But all these factors when used in combinations have different effects and the number of combinations may be a lot. This paper reviews the factors such as cooling rate, thawing rate, different CPAs, their effects, and alternate preservation methods and gives a systematic insight into how they affect the viability of biological samples.