We have a significant research program exploring and discovering new tools to improve cellular cryopreservation. We have been particularly interested in how to cryopreserve cell monolayers - cells attached to the tissue culture plastic. in our latest work (and the final publication from Trisha Bailey's PhD) we looked at the impact of proline (the amino acid) on cryopreservation outcomes. Extremophile rganisms produce proline in anticipation of cold stress, along with other osmolytes. However, we saw here that proline appears to slow the growth rate of cells in culture and 'prepare' them for cold stress, whereas other osmolytes had their normal function only. This pre-incubation dramatically increases post-thaw recovery of the cells and provides a simple tool for improving outcomes. Furthermore this shows we might be able to use chemical biology tools to program cells to be 'ready for cold'.

Read the paper here

Proline pre-conditioning of cell monolayers increases post-thaw recovery and viability by distinct mechanisms to other osmolytes