Cryopreservation of Blood

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Overview Long term storage of red blood cells requires cryopreservation. The primary cryopreservation chemical used is glycerol. Although glycerol preserves red blood cells, the equipment required to eliminate glycerol from cryopreservered red blood cells is expensive and cumbersome. Technology Dr. Anthony Kennedy of the Department of Chemistry and co-investigators from the Department of Biology and Physiology at East Carolina University have developed an alternative cryopreservation method using sucralose. Typically, freezing cells, tissues or organs leads to cell death when a protective chemical is not added. Even when a protective chemical is added the process of removing the chemical is expensive. Replacement of common protective chemicals with sucralose is an inexpensive alternative that can reduce ice crystal formation during storage in cryogenic temperatures by replacing water molecules in the membrane. Uses and Advantages Military Blood Banks Third World Countries No Degylcerolization Required Low Cost Alternative Cells, Tissues and Organs