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Protein and Peptide-Based Strategies for Advanced Cryopreservation.
Yihang Gao1, Shenglin Jin1,2,3, Jianjun Wang1,2,3
1Interdisciplinary Research Center for Advanced Materials, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
Chembiochem : a European Journal of Chemical Biology
|January 23, 2026
Summary
Nature-inspired proteins and peptides offer promising alternatives to conventional cryoprotectants (CPAs). These biomimetic materials can protect cells during cryopreservation, overcoming limitations of current methods.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Cryobiology
- Protein Engineering
Background:
- Cryopreservation is vital for cell-based biomedicine, relying on cryoprotective agents (CPAs) to prevent freezing damage.
- Conventional CPAs like DMSO and glycerol have limitations, including toxicity and difficult removal.
- Nature provides models for cryoprotection through stress-tolerant proteins in psychrophilic organisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review protein and peptide-based materials as next-generation CPAs.
- To explore natural stress-resistant proteins and synthetic mimics for cryopreservation.
- To discuss challenges and future directions for biomimetic CPAs.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of scientific literature.
- Analysis of characteristics, mechanisms, and applications of natural and synthetic cryoprotective proteins/peptides.
- Discussion of challenges like immunogenicity and scalability.
Main Results:
- Natural stress-resistant proteins (e.g., antifreeze proteins, LEA proteins) exhibit cryoprotective functions.
- Synthetic mimics show potential as novel CPAs.
- Key challenges include immunogenicity, scalability, and rational design.
Conclusions:
- Protein and peptide-based biomaterials represent a promising avenue for developing improved CPAs.
- Further research is needed for rational design and overcoming scalability and immunogenicity issues.
- Biomimetic approaches can advance cryopreservation technology for biomedicine.
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