Cryo Stage Helps in the Development of New Cryoprotectants for Biological Storage

摘要

Dr Matthew Gibson is an Associate Professor at the University of Warwick where he leads a diverse research team. His research is focused at the interfaces of Organic and Polymer Chemistries with the Life Sciences. One particular area of research is the design and synthesis of antifreeze (glyco)protein (AFP) mimics. AFPs are found in a range of species which can survive in extreme cold temperatures by preventing, or slowing the rate of ice growth. This growth of ice is also a major problem in the cryopreservation of donor cells and tissue for transplantation. The best technologies currently available involve adding large amounts of organic solvent to the cells which is obviously not ideal for future transplantation. If the group can improve the storage of cells it could really improve the scope for regenerative medicine procedures. Dr Gibson and his colleagues are seeking to make synthetic polymers, which mimic the function of AFPs, and have had some success at this recently.