Cryopreservation

Introduction: Cryopreservatives have wide application in medicine; to protect animals and plants from the cold; in the practice of food preservation; during air transportation of biological objects. The term "cryo" means "cold".

Principle of operation: Chemical bonds between macromolecules, and therefore the spatial structure of the protein, are preserved largely due to the fact that water, a highly polar substance, is in an icy state. Water, located near the ends of protein chains, has small molecular sizes, a high surface tension coefficient and the ability to form crystalline structures (at -2 ºС).

Basic methods of cryopreservation: There are three main methods of cryopreservation. For each of them, different cryoprotectors are used (substances that prevent liquid water from freezing and thereby maintaining the stability of the aqueous structure of the biomacromolecule): 1. with glycerin 2. with a solution of IUD, for example, dextrandiolate, aquarion 3. in emulsions