Microfluidics for cryopreservation

Gang Zhao; Jianping Fu

doi:10.1016/j.biotechadv.2017.01.006

Microfluidics for cryopreservation

Biotechnol Adv. 2017 Mar-Apr;35(2):323-336. doi: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2017.01.006. Epub 2017 Jan 30.

Authors

Gang Zhao¹, Jianping Fu²

Affiliations

¹ Center for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Electronic Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, Anhui, PR China. Electronic address: zhaog@ustc.edu.cn.
² Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Michigan Center for Integrative Research in Critical Care, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.

Abstract

Cryopreservation has utility in clinical and scientific research but implementation is highly complex and includes labor-intensive cell-specific protocols for the addition/removal of cryoprotective agents and freeze-thaw cycles. Microfluidic platforms can revolutionize cryopreservation by providing new tools to manipulate and screen cells at micro/nano scales, which are presently difficult or impossible with conventional bulk approaches. This review describes applications of microfluidic tools in cell manipulation, cryoprotective agent exposure, programmed freezing/thawing, vitrification, and in situ assessment in cryopreservation, and discusses achievements and challenges, providing perspectives for future development.

Keywords: Cryopreservation; Cryoprotective agent loading/unloading; Freezing/thawing; Microfluidics; Vitrification.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Cryopreservation*
Cryoprotective Agents
Cytological Techniques
Equipment Design
Freezing
Humans
Mice
Microfluidic Analytical Techniques*
Oocytes / cytology
Oocytes / physiology
Vitrification

Substances

Cryoprotective Agents

Grants and funding

R01 HL119542/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States