We have a major interest in developing macromolecular cryoprotectants to enable new cell based therapies and to simplify and support cell-based assay development and use. We have previously shown that polyampholytes, with mixed cationic/anionic side chains, are very potent cryoprotectants, but exactly how they function is under investigation. There have been reports that DMSO-like side chains (sulphoxides) may introduce cryoprotective properties, so we synthesised a panel of sulphoxide methacrylates. The sulphoxide side chain is often draw S=O but is actually highly polarised, and can be represented as S+O-, and hence we asked if this charge separation can help, as it does with ampholytes. We also used N-oxides for similar reasons. Overall, these are not as potent as polyampholytes, but a crucial observation was that over-oxidation of the sulphoxide lead to increase toxicity.

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https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acspolymersau.2c00028Link opens in a new window