Polyamine Cryopreservation Liquid for Cell Preservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cryopreservation methods fail to preserve the complete structural integrity of cells or tissues after freezing and thawing, and existing cryoprotectants like DMSO are toxic and costly, making them unsuitable for certain applications.
Innovation Solution
A cryopreservation liquid comprising 1-50% polyamines with side-chain amino groups, such as ε-poly-L-lysine, is used to preserve cells and tissues at cryogenic temperatures, offering low toxicity and effective protection against ice crystal formation without the need for protein ingredients, thereby enabling extended preservation with maintained bioactivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If DMSO is used as a cryopreservation agent, then cryopreservation effectiveness is improved, but cell toxicity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, toxic DMSO with a cheaper, biocompatible alternative (polyethylene glycol and/or polypropylene glycol) that achieves similar cryopreservation effectiveness without the harmful side effects. This substitution principle allows using a different material that is less harmful and more suitable for clinical applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the cryopreservation medium by using polyethylene glycol and/or polypropylene glycol instead of DMSO. This parameter change maintains the cryoprotective function while eliminating the toxicity issue, enabling safe cell preservation for transplantation and regenerative medicine.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If glycerin is used as a cryopreservation agent, then toxicity is reduced, but cryopreservation effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition from glycerin to polyethylene glycol and/or polypropylene glycol, which provides superior cryopreservation effectiveness while maintaining low toxicity. This parameter change resolves the trade-off by finding a compound that outperforms glycerin in protective effects without the limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a more effective cryoprotectant (polyethylene glycol and/or polypropylene glycol) that replaces glycerin's insufficient protective function, achieving both high effectiveness and safety for clinical cell preservation applications.
3Stability of the object's composition
If high concentrations of cryoprotective agents are used for rapid freezing, then ice crystal formation is prevented, but cell damage increases due to toxicity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses polyethylene glycol and/or polypropylene glycol as a non-toxic alternative to high-concentration DMSO, achieving effective ice crystal prevention during rapid freezing without the severe cell damage caused by toxic agents. This allows safe vitrification for clinical applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the cryoprotectant composition to polyethylene glycol and/or polypropylene glycol, which provides sufficient protection against ice crystal formation at lower effective concentrations, reducing cell damage while maintaining preservation effectiveness during rapid freezing processes.
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 polyamine-based cryopreservation liquid effectively preserves cells and tissues with high survival rates and bioactivity, reducing toxicity and the need for post-thaw washing, while being cost-effective and applicable for both cellular and industrial uses, including fuel cells and food preservation.
Implementation Method 1
It is known that upon freezing these materials, ice crystals form, resulting uneven concentrations of solutes and contaminants excluded by water molecules, called 'freeze concentration.'
Implementation Method 2
various compounds of low molecular weights can be added to the cryopreservation media. For example, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), glycerol or the like is added as a freeze-protecting agent to minimize the damages on the cells and tissues, which are otherwise caused by crystallized water in the cells on course of cryopreservation.
Data Source
AI summary
A composition for cryopreservation of cells and tissues of human and other animals in a safe manner without using toxic substances such as DMSO, as well as for freeze preserving or freeze-drying of foods and pharmaceuticals. In embodiments, ε-poly-L-lysine is reacted with succinic anhydride so that 60% or more of amino groups are blocked; and, thus obtained polymer compound is added to Dulbecco-modified eagle MEM culture medium (DMEM) on market sale to form a cryopreservation liquid. In embodiments for foods or pharmaceuticals, the ε-poly-L-lysine derivative was added by 0.5-10 wt % to curb freeze concentration.