DMSO-Free Cryopreservative Composition for Cell Preservation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods of cryopreserving cells using dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) are toxic and unsuitable for certain cell types, such as induced pluripotent stem cells, and often require empirical and time-consuming optimization of freezing protocols to achieve optimal cell survival, which is not always successful.
Innovation Solution
A cryopreservative composition comprising a sugar component, a sugar alcohol component, and an additive, such as amino acids, that allows for effective cell preservation without DMSO, using a differential evolution algorithm to optimize the composition and cooling rate for specific cell types, resulting in higher cell viability and recovery compared to DMSO-based methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If DMSO is used for cryopreservation, then cell preservation can be achieved, but cell toxicity increases and cell viability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes DMSO from the cryopreservation system, replacing it with alternative components (sugars, sugar alcohols, amino acids) that provide preservation functionality without the toxic side effects. This directly resolves the contradiction by eliminating the harmful substance while maintaining preservation effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite cryoprotective composition comprising multiple components (sugars, sugar alcohols, amino acids, and optionally DMSO at reduced concentrations) that work synergistically to provide cell preservation. This composite approach achieves the protective function previously provided solely by DMSO while reducing toxicity.
2Reliability
If conventional DMSO-based protocols are used, then cryopreservation can be performed, but empirical optimization is time-consuming and not always successful
Solution Approach 1:
The patent systematically optimizes the concentrations and combinations of cryoprotective components (sugars, sugar alcohols, amino acids) to establish effective formulations. By pre-determining optimal parameter ranges for these components, the patent eliminates the need for time-consuming empirical optimization for each new cell type while maintaining high cell survival rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent develops a universal cryopreservation composition and protocol that can be applied to multiple cell types without requiring extensive re-optimization. The standardized formulation and procedure provide broad applicability, reducing the time and effort needed to adapt cryopreservation methods to 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 described method enables efficient and DMSO-free cryopreservation of cells, achieving higher viability and recovery rates than traditional DMSO-based methods, while being applicable to various cell types and reducing the need for empirical optimization protocols.
Implementation Method 1
a cryopreservative composition for storing cells. Generally, the cryopreservative composition includes a sugar component and a sugar alcohol component, and is effective for storing and recovering cells without requiring dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)
Implementation Method 2
the cryopreservative composition can further include an additive such as, for example, a small molecule or a combination of small molecules
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure describes a cryopreservative composition and methods for storing cells. Generally, the cryopreservative composition includes a sugar component and a sugar alcohol component, and is effective for storing and recovering cells without requiring dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO).