Biological Material Preservation in Non-Aqueous Solvents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Biological materials such as proteins and nucleic acids undergo denaturation during freeze-drying, leading to instability and the need for refrigeration, which complicates storage and shipping.
Innovation Solution
Preserving biological materials in substantially water-free fluid media using non-ionic or ionic organic solvents, such as alcohols or solvents with organic salts and hydrogen bond donors, along with additional stabilizing agents, to maintain structural integrity and activity at ambient temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If freeze-drying is used to enhance stability, then storage stability is improved, but denaturation occurs during the freezing and sublimation steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter from solid (freeze-dried) to liquid (non-aqueous solvent), eliminating the need for freezing and sublimation steps that cause denaturation while maintaining storage stability through the use of stabilizing agents in the liquid medium
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces non-aqueous solvents and stabilizing agents as intermediary substances that protect biological materials from denaturation, replacing the need for freeze-drying while maintaining structural integrity during storage
2Temperature
If freeze-drying is used to eliminate refrigeration, then storage temperature requirements are improved, but denaturation occurs during processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the storage form from solid (freeze-dried) to liquid (non-aqueous solvent), allowing ambient temperature storage without the denaturation caused by freeze-drying processing, thus achieving both temperature independence and structural integrity
3Stability of the object's composition
If biological materials are preserved in solid state, then storage stability is improved, but re-dissolution is required for use in fluid-phase reactions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state from solid to liquid by using non-aqueous solvents, allowing biological materials to be stored stably in liquid form and used directly in fluid-phase reactions without re-dissolution, thus improving both stability and ease of operation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method allows for stable preservation of biological materials at ambient temperatures, eliminating the need for refrigeration and enabling direct use in fluid-phase reactions without re-dissolution, while maintaining functional integrity and activity over extended periods.
Implementation Method 1
Preserving biological materials in substantially water-free fluid media using non-ionic or ionic organic solvents, such as alcohols or solvents with organic salts and hydrogen bond donors
Implementation Method 2
ionic organic solvent comprising an organic salt and an organic hydrogen bond donor
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides compositions and methods for preserving a biological material—such as a protein, a nucleic acid or a biological sample, or any combination thereof—in a substantially water-free, nonionic or ionic organic solvent. Improved preservation, including for example the stability and/or the solubility of the biological material in the substantially water-free fluid medium, is achieved with compositions comprising one or more substances (e.g., an antioxidant) described in the disclosure, and/or a metal salt. The biological material is soluble and stable, and retains its function and activity, when it is preserved in the substantially water-free fluid medium at ambient temperature or higher for extended periods of time. Therefore, the composition comprising the biological material does not need to be refrigerated or frozen during shipping or storage.