Photosynthetic Cell Preservation by Cold Dormancy and Reactivation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The intrinsic low half-life of photosynthetically active cells limits their potential use in clinical applications due to insufficient oxygen supply and preservation challenges.
Innovation Solution
Photosynthetically active cells are stored at a temperature range of 1-5°C without light for extended periods, optionally in a nitrogen-free medium, and subsequently suspended in a nitrogen-containing medium under illumination to maintain chlorophyll content and oxygen production rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If photosynthetically active cells are stored at low temperatures without light for extended periods, then shelf life is extended, but cell functionality and metabolic activity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by storing photosynthetically active cells in a dormant state (low temperature 1-5°C, darkness, nitrogen-free medium) before clinical use. This pre-storage phase preserves cells for extended periods (weeks to months) while maintaining their viability. The cells are then activated ex vivo by providing nitrogen-containing medium and illumination, restoring full photosynthetic functionality before implantation. This resolves the contradiction by separating the storage phase (extending shelf life) from the activation phase (restoring functionality).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by dynamically adjusting environmental conditions (temperature, light exposure, nitrogen availability) to transition cells between dormant and active states. During storage, parameters are set to minimize metabolic activity (low temperature, darkness, nitrogen-free). For activation, parameters are changed to promote photosynthesis (room temperature, illumination, nitrogen-containing medium). This dynamic parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between extended storage and maintained functionality.
2Stability of the object's composition
If photosynthetically active cells are stored in nitrogen-free medium without light, then preservation is improved, but chlorophyll degradation and metabolic shutdown occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-depriving cells of nitrogen and light during storage to induce a dormant state that prevents chlorophyll degradation. This preliminary dormancy phase stabilizes cell composition for extended storage. Subsequently, nitrogen and light are provided ex vivo to reactivate chlorophyll synthesis and photosynthetic machinery, recovering full functionality before clinical application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies discarding and recovering by temporarily removing nitrogen during storage to prevent unwanted metabolic activity and chlorophyll degradation, then recovering nitrogen availability during the activation phase to restore chlorophyll content and photosynthetic function. This temporary discarding followed by recovery resolves the contradiction between preservation stability and substance maintenance.
3Reliability
If photosynthetically active cells are activated ex vivo after storage, then functionality is restored, but extended storage time may reduce overall efficacy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing extended storage in a dormant state to preserve cells for future use, then activating them ex vivo close to the time of implantation. This ensures cells are stored safely for extended periods without degradation, then activated only when needed, minimizing the time between activation and use while maximizing storage stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies continuity of useful action by maintaining cells in a viable but dormant state during storage, preserving their photosynthetic potential without actual photosynthetic activity. Upon activation, photosynthetic function continues immediately and sustains itself in vivo. This continuous viability through dormant-active transition resolves the contradiction between extended storage and maintained efficacy.
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 preserves the functionality of photosynthetically active cells, maintaining chlorophyll content and oxygen production rates at 80-90% of the original levels after storage, extending their shelf life and suitability for clinical applications.
Implementation Method 1
suspending the cells in a nitrogen-containing medium under illumination... an oxygen production rate of the photosynthetically active cells after storing and suspending is at least 80%, at least 85%, and more preferably at least 90% of the oxygen production rate of the photosynthetically active cells before storing and suspending
Implementation Method 2
storing photosynthetically active cells a temperature range between 1-5° C., optionally without light... for a period of at least 3 weeks, at least 4 weeks, at least 6 weeks, or at least 8 weeks
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of storage and preservation of photosynthetically active cells and photosynthetic biomaterials are provided herein. Contemplated methods comprise storing the cells and biomaterials at a refrigeration temperature, optionally without light. The stored cells and biomaterials may be placed in a nitrogen containing medium under illumination before use. The chlorophyll content, oxygen consumption rate, oxygen production rate and/or morphology may be substantially preserved throughout the storage and awakening process.