Cell Storage Composition Using Block Copolymer and Carnitine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for transporting and storing cells, such as cryopreservation and transporting growing cultures, face challenges including low cell viability, logistical issues, and cytotoxic effects from cryoprotective agents, making them time-consuming, costly, and unsuitable for long-term storage.
Innovation Solution
A cell transport and storage composition comprising a block copolymer of polyoxypropylene and polyoxyethylene, along with carnitine and glycerol, allows cells to be stored at ambient temperature, eliminating the need for cryopreservation and reducing metabolic and shear stress, thereby enhancing cell viability and compatibility with various cell types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If cryopreservation is used to transport and store cells, then cell viability can be maintained for extended periods, but the process is time-consuming, costly, and requires complex equipment and procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the temperature parameter from cryogenic (−80°C to −196°C) to ambient temperature (20°C to 25°C), fundamentally altering the storage conditions. This parameter change eliminates the need for complex cryopreservation equipment and procedures while maintaining cell viability for extended periods, directly resolving the contradiction between storage duration and time required for the process
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the cryoprotective agent (DMSO) from the cell suspension, eliminating the need for controlled rate freezing and subsequent thawing procedures. By taking out the CPA, the complex time-consuming cryopreservation process is simplified, allowing cells to be stored at ambient temperature without requiring specialized equipment
2Temperature
If cryopreservation with DMSO is used, then cells can be stored at low temperatures, but DMSO is cytotoxic and causes cellular changes, gene expression alterations, and delayed cell cycle re-entry
Solution Approach 1:
The invention completely removes the cytotoxic DMSO from the cell suspension formulation. By taking out the harmful cryoprotective agent, the patent eliminates cytotoxic effects, gene expression alterations, and delayed cell cycle re-entry while maintaining cell viability through ambient temperature storage without requiring freezing protection
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful effect of requiring cryopreservation (which necessitates DMSO addition) into a benefit by using ambient temperature storage. This approach eliminates the need for DMSO entirely, transforming a harmful situation into a beneficial one where cells can be stored without cytotoxic agents
3Ease of operation
If cells are transported as growing cultures in sealed vessels, then no cryopreservation is needed, but cell viability and membrane integrity are reduced after longer than 24 hours
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the temperature parameter from ambient (20°C to 25°C) to cryogenic temperatures, fundamentally altering the storage conditions. This parameter change enables extended storage periods while maintaining cell viability and membrane integrity, directly resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability for longer storage durations
4Adaptability or versatility
If cryopreservation is standardized across different cell types, then universal application is achieved, but specific cell-type requirements and specialist equipment are still needed for downstream applications
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a universal cell storage system that works across multiple cell types without requiring cell-type specific protocols or specialist equipment. The ambient temperature storage approach with modified culture media provides multi-functional applicability, eliminating the need for specialized cryopreservation equipment while maintaining reliability across different cell types
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 composition maintains high cell viability and count for extended periods, reduces logistical and economic challenges, and is compatible with multiple cell types, offering a cost-effective alternative to conventional methods by allowing cells to be stored at room temperature without the need for cryoprotective agents.
Implementation Method 1
allows cells to be stored at ambient temperature, eliminating the need for cryopreservation and reducing metabolic and shear stress
Implementation Method 2
a cell transport and storage composition comprising a block copolymer of polyoxypropylene and polyoxyethylene, and at least one compound selected from the group comprising carnitine and glycerol
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a cell transport and storage composition comprising a block copolymer of polyoxypropylene and polyoxyethylene, and at least one compound selected from the group comprising carnitine and glycerol, a method of transporting or storing cells in the composition, and the use of a block copolymer of polyoxypropylene and polyoxyethylene for cell transport and/or storage at a temperature above 8° C., and a method of transporting and storing cells in a composition comprising a block copolymer of polyoxypropylene and polyoxyethylene at a temperature of more than 8° C.