Microfluidics for cryopreservation.
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.
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.
Gang
G
Zhao
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.
Jianping
J
Fu
D000818:Animals; D015925:Cryopreservation; D003451:Cryoprotective Agents; D003584:Cytological Techniques; D004867:Equipment Design; D005615:Freezing; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D058989:Vitrification
D003451:Cryoprotective Agents
Cryopreservation; Cryoprotective agent loading/unloading; Freezing/thawing; Microfluidics; Vitrification