A Method to Efficiently Cryopreserve Mammalian Cells on Paper Platforms

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Biotechnology
• Cryobiology

Background:

• Conventional cryopreservation of mammalian cells often involves complex procedures.
• Limitations include cell loss during thawing and significant storage space requirements.
• Developing alternative, efficient cell preservation methods is crucial for research and clinical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a simple, paper-based protocol for cryopreserving mammalian cells.
• To offer an alternative to conventional slow-freezing methods.
• To highlight the advantages of paper-based cryopreservation for cell storage and transport.

Main Methods:

• Mammalian cells were cryopreserved on fibronectin-treated filter paper using low concentrations of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO).
• Cells were slow-frozen to -80 °C at a rate of 1 °C min^-1.
• The method was designed for simplicity, requiring no specialized freezing or thawing procedures.

Main Results:

• Cell recovery rates comparable to conventional cryopreservation methods were achieved.
• The paper substrate offers a large surface area, 3D porosity, and biocompatibility, enhancing cell preservation.
• The method accommodates higher cell densities and prevents cell loss upon release.

Conclusions:

• Paper-based cryopreservation is a viable and advantageous alternative to traditional methods.
• This technique simplifies cell handling, storage, and transportation, with potential for on-demand cell distribution.
• The method also supports the cryopreservation of cellular spheroids and 3D cell cultures.