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Laurent A, Scaletta C, Abdel-Sayed P, Raffoul W, Hirt-Burri N, Applegate LA. Industrial Biotechnology Conservation Processes: Similarities with Natural Long-Term Preservation of Biological Organisms. BIOTECH 2023; 12:biotech12010015. [PMID: 36810442 PMCID: PMC9944097 DOI: 10.3390/biotech12010015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryopreservation and lyophilization processes are widely used for conservation purposes in the pharmaceutical, biotechnological, and food industries or in medical transplantation. Such processes deal with extremely low temperatures (e.g., -196 °C) and multiple physical states of water, a universal and essential molecule for many biological lifeforms. This study firstly considers the controlled laboratory/industrial artificial conditions used to favor specific water phase transitions during cellular material cryopreservation and lyophilization under the Swiss progenitor cell transplantation program. Both biotechnological tools are successfully used for the long-term storage of biological samples and products, with reversible quasi-arrest of metabolic activities (e.g., cryogenic storage in liquid nitrogen). Secondly, similarities are outlined between such artificial localized environment modifications and some natural ecological niches known to favor metabolic rate modifications (e.g., cryptobiosis) in biological organisms. Specifically, examples of survival to extreme physical parameters by small multi-cellular animals (e.g., tardigrades) are discussed, opening further considerations about the possibility to reversibly slow or temporarily arrest the metabolic activity rates of defined complex organisms in controlled conditions. Key examples of biological organism adaptation capabilities to extreme environmental parameters finally enabled a discussion about the emergence of early primordial biological lifeforms, from natural biotechnology and evolutionary points of view. Overall, the provided examples/similarities confirm the interest in further transposing natural processes and phenomena to controlled laboratory settings with the ultimate goal of gaining better control and modulation capacities over the metabolic activities of complex biological organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Laurent
- Regenerative Therapy Unit, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, CH-1066 Epalinges, Switzerland
- Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Applied Research Department, LAM Biotechnologies SA, CH-1066 Epalinges, Switzerland
- Manufacturing Department, TEC-PHARMA SA, CH-1038 Bercher, Switzerland
| | - Corinne Scaletta
- Regenerative Therapy Unit, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, CH-1066 Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Philippe Abdel-Sayed
- Regenerative Therapy Unit, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, CH-1066 Epalinges, Switzerland
- DLL Bioengineering, STI School of Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Wassim Raffoul
- Lausanne Burn Center, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Plastic, Reconstructive, and Hand Surgery Service, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nathalie Hirt-Burri
- Regenerative Therapy Unit, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, CH-1066 Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Lee Ann Applegate
- Regenerative Therapy Unit, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, CH-1066 Epalinges, Switzerland
- Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Lausanne Burn Center, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Plastic, Reconstructive, and Hand Surgery Service, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Center for Applied Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, University of Zurich, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +41-21-314-35-10
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2
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Freitas-Ribeiro S, Reis RL, Pirraco RP. Long-term and short-term preservation strategies for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine products: state of the art and emerging trends. PNAS NEXUS 2022; 1:pgac212. [PMID: 36714838 PMCID: PMC9802477 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgac212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
There is an ever-growing need of human tissues and organs for transplantation. However, the availability of such tissues and organs is insufficient by a large margin, which is a huge medical and societal problem. Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM) represent potential solutions to this issue and have therefore been attracting increased interest from researchers and clinicians alike. But the successful large-scale clinical deployment of TERM products critically depends on the development of efficient preservation methodologies. The existing preservation approaches such as slow freezing, vitrification, dry state preservation, and hypothermic and normothermic storage all have issues that somehow limit the biomedical applications of TERM products. In this review, the principles and application of these approaches will be summarized, highlighting their advantages and limitations in the context of TERM products preservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Freitas-Ribeiro
- 3B’s Research Group, I3Bs—Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Barco GMR, Portugal,ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4805-017 Barco GMR, Portugal
| | - Rui L Reis
- 3B’s Research Group, I3Bs—Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Barco GMR, Portugal,ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4805-017 Barco GMR, Portugal
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3
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Khan AZ, Utheim TP, Jackson CJ, Tønseth KA, Eidet JR. Concise Review: Considering Optimal Temperature for Short-Term Storage of Epithelial Cells. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:686774. [PMID: 34485330 PMCID: PMC8416270 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.686774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Transplantation of novel tissue-engineered products using cultured epithelial cells is gaining significant interest. While such treatments can readily be provided at centralized medical centers, delivery to patients at geographically remote locations requires the establishment of suitable storage protocols. One important aspect of storage technology is temperature. This paper reviews storage temperature for above-freezing point storage of human epithelial cells for regenerative medicine purposes. The literature search uncovered publications on epidermal cells, retinal pigment epithelial cells, conjunctival epithelial cells, corneal/limbal epithelial cells, oral keratinocytes, and seminiferous epithelial cells. The following general patterns were noted: (1) Several studies across different cell types inclined toward 4 and 16°C being suitable short-term storage temperatures. Correspondingly, almost all studies investigating 37°C concluded that this storage temperature was suboptimal. (2) Cell death typically escalates rapidly following 7–10 days of storage. (3) The importance of the type of storage medium and its composition was highlighted by some of the studies; however, the relative importance of storage medium vs. storage temperature has not been investigated systematically. Although a direct comparison between the included investigations is not reasonable due to differences in cell types, storage media, and storage duration, this review provides an overview, summarizing the work carried out on each cell type during the past two decades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayyad Zartasht Khan
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Surgery, Sørlandet Hospital Arendal, Arendal, Norway.,Department of Ophthalmology, Sørlandet Hospital Arendal, Arendal, Norway.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tor Paaske Utheim
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Ophthalmology, Sørlandet Hospital Arendal, Arendal, Norway.,Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Ophthalmology, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.,Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Catherine Joan Jackson
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Ifocus Eye Clinic, Haugesund, Norway
| | - Kim Alexander Tønseth
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jon Roger Eidet
- Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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4
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Weng L. Technologies and Applications Toward Preservation of Cells in a Dry State for Therapies. Biopreserv Biobank 2021; 19:332-341. [PMID: 33493407 DOI: 10.1089/bio.2020.0130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell-based therapeutics promise to transform the treatment of a wide range of diseases, many of which, up to this point, are incurable. During the past decade, an increasing number of cell therapies have been approved by government regulatory agencies in the United States, Europe, and Japan. Thousands of clinical trials based on live cell therapies are now taking place around the world. But most of these live cell therapies face temporal and/or spatial distances between manufacture and administration, posing a risk of degradation in potency. Cryopreservation has become the predominant biobanking approach to maintain the product's safety and efficacy during transportation and storage. However, the necessity of cryogenic shipment and storage could limit patient access to these emerging therapies and increase the costs of logistics. In the (bio)pharmaceutical industries, freeze-drying and desiccation are established preservation procedures for manufacturing small molecule drugs, liposomes, and monoclonal antibodies. Over the past two decades, there has been a growing body of research exploring the freeze-drying or drying of mammalian cells, with varying degrees of success. This article provides an overview of the technologies that were adopted or developed in these pioneering studies, paving the road toward the preservation of cell-based therapeutics in a dry state for biomanufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindong Weng
- Sana Biotechnology, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
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5
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Abstract
Proteinaceous liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) occurs when a polypeptide coalesces into a dense phase to form a liquid droplet (i.e., condensate) in aqueous solution. In vivo, functional protein-based condensates are often referred to as membraneless organelles (MLOs), which have roles in cellular processes ranging from stress responses to regulation of gene expression. Late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins containing seed maturation protein domains (SMP; PF04927) have been linked to storage tolerance of orthodox seeds. The mechanism by which anhydrobiotic longevity is improved is unknown. Interestingly, the brine shrimp Artemia franciscana is the only animal known to express such a protein (AfrLEA6) in its anhydrobiotic embryos. Ectopic expression of AfrLEA6 (AWM11684) in insect cells improves their desiccation tolerance and a fraction of the protein is sequestered into MLOs, while aqueous AfrLEA6 raises the viscosity of the cytoplasm. LLPS of AfrLEA6 is driven by the SMP domain, while the size of formed MLOs is regulated by a domain predicted to engage in protein binding. AfrLEA6 condensates formed in vitro selectively incorporate target proteins based on their surface charge, while cytoplasmic MLOs formed in AfrLEA6-transfected insect cells behave like stress granules. We suggest that AfrLEA6 promotes desiccation tolerance by engaging in two distinct molecular mechanisms: by raising cytoplasmic viscosity at even modest levels of water loss to promote cell integrity during drying and by forming condensates that may act as protective compartments for desiccation-sensitive proteins. Identifying and understanding the molecular mechanisms that govern anhydrobiosis will lead to significant advancements in preserving biological samples.
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Saragusty J, Anzalone DA, Palazzese L, Arav A, Patrizio P, Gosálvez J, Loi P. Dry biobanking as a conservation tool in the Anthropocene. Theriogenology 2020; 150:130-138. [PMID: 31980207 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Species are going extinct at an alarming rate, termed by some as the sixth mass extinction event in the history of Earth. Many are the causes for this but in the end, all converge to one entity - humans. Since we are the cause, we also hold the key to making the change. Any change, however, will take time, and for some species this could be too long. While working on possible solutions, we also have the responsibility to buy time for those species on the verge of extinction. Genome resource banks, in the form of cryobanks, where samples are maintained under liquid nitrogen, are already in existence but they come with a host of drawbacks. Biomimicry - innovation inspired by Nature, has been a huge source for ideas. Searching methods that Nature utilizes to preserve biological systems for extended periods of time, we realize that drying rather than freezing is the method of choice. We thus argue here in favor of preserving at least part of the samples from critically endangered species in dry biobanks, a much safer, cost-effective, biobanking approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Saragusty
- Laboratory of Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy.
| | - Debora Agata Anzalone
- Laboratory of Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Luca Palazzese
- Laboratory of Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Amir Arav
- FertileSafe Ltd., Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Pasquale Patrizio
- FertileSafe Ltd., Ness Ziona, Israel; Yale Fertility Center, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jaime Gosálvez
- Genetics Unit, Department of Biology, University Autónoma of Madrid, Catoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pasqualino Loi
- Laboratory of Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
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7
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Patra T, Gupta MK. Cryopreservation of murine testicular Leydig cells by modified solid surface vitrification with supplementation of antioxidants. Cryobiology 2019; 88:38-46. [PMID: 30959024 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2019.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Revised: 03/31/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Reports on the vitrification of somatic cells are scarce. Here, we show that Leydig cells (murine cell line TM3) could be successfully vitrified by both open vitrification [plastic straw (PS) and plastic vials (PV)] and closed ultravitrification [microdrop (MD) and solid surface vitrification (SSV)], after protocol optimization. However, open ultravitrification resulted in better post-warming viability than closed systems of vitrification with highest success obtained in modified SSV (84.8 ± 1.86%; p < 0.05). Leydig cells vitrified-warmed by modified SSV also showed superior (p < 0.05) cell growth, mitochondrial activity and cytoplasmic esterase enzyme activity, than MD, PS and PV, respectively. It was also observed that vitrified-warmed cells had higher level of ROS activity than non-vitrified control cells (41.6 ± 4.0 vs. 16.7 ± 1.0; p < 0.05). Treatment of cells with glutathione (GSH) or 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) (0, 10, 50, 100 μM) significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the ROS activity but had no significant (p > 0.05) effect on post-warm viability. Nevertheless, antioxidant-treated cells had improved mitochondrial activity, cytoplasmic esterase activity and cell growth during in vitro culture (p < 0.05). In conclusion, our results suggest that modified SSV offers a viable method for vitrifying single cell suspension of Leydig cells. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on cryopreservation of Leydig cells by vitrification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanushree Patra
- Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha, 769008, India
| | - Mukesh Kumar Gupta
- Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha, 769008, India.
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8
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Exploring dry storage as an alternative biobanking strategy inspired by Nature. Theriogenology 2019; 126:17-27. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.11.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Revised: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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9
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Weng L, Stott SL, Toner M. Exploring Dynamics and Structure of Biomolecules, Cryoprotectants, and Water Using Molecular Dynamics Simulations: Implications for Biostabilization and Biopreservation. Annu Rev Biomed Eng 2018; 21:1-31. [PMID: 30525930 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-bioeng-060418-052130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Successful stabilization and preservation of biological materials often utilize low temperatures and dehydration to arrest molecular motion. Cryoprotectants are routinely employed to help the biological entities survive the physicochemical and mechanical stresses induced by cold or dryness. Molecular interactions between biomolecules, cryoprotectants, and water fundamentally determine the outcomes of preservation. The optimization of assays using the empirical approach is often limited in structural and temporal resolution, whereas classical molecular dynamics simulations can provide a cost-effective glimpse into the atomic-level structure and interaction of individual molecules that dictate macroscopic behavior. Computational research on biomolecules, cryoprotectants, and water has provided invaluable insights into the development of new cryoprotectants and the optimization of preservation methods. We describe the rapidly evolving state of the art of molecular simulations of these complex systems, summarize the molecular-scale protective and stabilizing mechanisms, and discuss the challenges that motivate continued innovation in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindong Weng
- Center for Engineering in Medicine and BioMEMS Resource Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129, USA; , , .,Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
| | - Shannon L Stott
- Center for Engineering in Medicine and BioMEMS Resource Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129, USA; , , .,Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129, USA.,Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
| | - Mehmet Toner
- Center for Engineering in Medicine and BioMEMS Resource Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129, USA; , , .,Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA.,Shriners Hospital for Children, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
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10
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Solocinski J, Osgood QA, Rosiek E, Underwood L, Zikanov O, Chakraborty N. Development of a surface tension mediated technique for dry stabilization of mammalian cells. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0193160. [PMID: 29505556 PMCID: PMC5837090 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0193160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Dry state preservation at ambient temperatures (lyopreservation) is a biomimetic alternative to low temperature stabilization (cryopreservation) of biological materials. Lyopreservation is hypothesized to rely upon the creation of a glassy environment, which is commonly observed in desiccation-tolerant organisms. Non-uniformities in dried samples have been indicated as one of the reasons for instability in storage outcome. The current study presents a simple, fast, and uniform surface tension based technique that can be implemented for lyopreservation of mammalian cells. The technique involves withdrawing cells attached to rigid substrates to be submerged in a solution of lyoprotectant and then withdrawing the samples at a specific rate to an inert environment. This creates a uniform thin film of desiccated lyoprotectant due to sudden change of surface tension. The residual moisture contents at different locations in the desiccated film was quantified using a spatially resolved Raman microspectroscopy technique. Post-desiccation cellular viability and growth are quantified using fluorescent microscopy and dye exclusion assays. Cellular injury following desiccation is evaluated by bioenergetic quantification of metabolic functions using extracellular flux analysis and by a Raman microspectroscopic analysis of change in membrane structure. The technique developed here addresses an important bottleneck of lyoprocessing which requires the fast and uniform desiccation of cellular samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Solocinski
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Quinn A. Osgood
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, Michigan, United States of America
- OtziBio LLC, Livonia, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Eric Rosiek
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Lukas Underwood
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Oleg Zikanov
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Nilay Chakraborty
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, Michigan, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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11
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Effect of water content on the glass transition temperature of mixtures of sugars, polymers, and penetrating cryoprotectants in physiological buffer. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0190713. [PMID: 29304068 PMCID: PMC5755887 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0190713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2017] [Accepted: 12/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-term storage of viable mammalian cells is important for applications ranging from in vitro fertilization to cell therapy. Cryopreservation is currently the most common approach, but storage in liquid nitrogen is relatively costly and the requirement for low temperatures during shipping is inconvenient. Desiccation is an alternative strategy with the potential to enable viable cell preservation at more convenient storage temperatures without the need for liquid nitrogen. To achieve stability during storage in the dried state it is necessary to remove enough water that the remaining matrix forms a non-crystalline glassy solid. Thus, the glass transition temperature is a key parameter for design of cell desiccation procedures. In this study, we have investigated the effects of moisture content on the glass transition temperature (Tg) of mixtures of sugars (trehalose or raffinose), polymers (polyvinylpyrrolidone or Ficoll), penetrating cryoprotectants (ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, or dimethyl sulfoxide), and phosphate buffered saline (PBS) solutes. Aqueous solutions were dried to different moisture contents by equilibration with saturated salt solutions, or by baking at 95°C. The glass transition temperatures of the dehydrated samples were then measured by differential scanning calorimetry. As expected, Tg increased with decreasing moisture content. For example, in a desiccation medium containing 0.1 M trehalose in PBS, Tg ranged from about 360 K for a completely dry sample to about 220 K at a water mass fraction of 0.4. Addition of polymers to the solutions increased Tg, while addition of penetrating cryoprotectants decreased Tg. Our results provide insight into the relationship between relative humidity, moisture content and glass transition temperature for cell desiccation solutions containing sugars, polymers and penetrating cryoprotectants.
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12
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Patrick J, Comizzoli P, Elliott G. Dry Preservation of Spermatozoa: Considerations for Different Species. Biopreserv Biobank 2017; 15:158-168. [PMID: 28398834 PMCID: PMC5397208 DOI: 10.1089/bio.2016.0087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The current gold standard for sperm preservation is storage at cryogenic temperatures. Dry preservation is an attractive alternative, eliminating the need for ultralow temperatures, reducing storage maintenance costs, and providing logistical flexibility for shipping. Many seeds and anhydrobiotic organisms are able to survive extended periods in a dry state through the accumulation of intracellular sugars and other osmolytes and are capable of returning to normal physiology postrehydration. Using techniques inspired by nature's adaptations, attempts have been made to dehydrate and dry preserve spermatozoa from a variety of species. Most of the anhydrous preservation research performed to date has focused on mouse spermatozoa, with only a small number of studies in nonrodent mammalian species. There is a significant difference between sperm function in rodent and nonrodent mammalian species with respect to centrosomal inheritance. Studies focused on reproductive technologies have demonstrated that in nonrodent species, the centrosome must be preserved to maintain sperm function as the spermatozoon centrosome contributes the dominant nucleating seed, consisting of the proximal centriole surrounded by pericentriolar components, onto which the oocyte's centrosomal material is assembled. Preservation techniques used for mouse sperm may therefore not necessarily be applicable to nonrodent spermatozoa. The range of technologies used to dehydrate sperm and the effect of processing and storage conditions on fertilization and embryogenesis using dried sperm are reviewed in the context of reproductive physiology and cellular morphology in different species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Patrick
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina
| | - Pierre Comizzoli
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Gloria Elliott
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina
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13
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Effects of Water on Structure and Dynamics of Trehalose Glasses at Low Water Contents and its Relationship to Preservation Outcomes. Sci Rep 2016; 6:28795. [PMID: 27387435 PMCID: PMC4937400 DOI: 10.1038/srep28795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2016] [Accepted: 06/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Dry preservation of biologics in sugar glasses is regarded as a promising alternative to conventional cryopreservation. Evidence from various studies has suggested that there is a critical range of water content beyond which the viability of preserved biologics can be greatly compromised. In this study the viability of T-cells was determined as a function of end water content after microwave-assisted drying in trehalose solutions. Hydrogen-bonding and clustering phenomena in trehalose solutions of the same moisture content were also evaluated using molecular dynamics simulation. Post-rehydration viability decreased dramatically within the range of 0.1-1 gH2O/gdw. Molecular modeling revealed that as the water content approached 0.1 gH2O/gdw the matrix formed a large interconnected trehalose skeleton with a minimal number of bound water molecules scattered in the bulk. The diffusion coefficients of trehalose oxygen atoms most distant from the glycosidic linkage fluctuated around 7.5 × 10(-14) m(2)/s within the range of 0.02-0.1 gH2O/gdw and increased again to ~1.13 × 10(-13) m(2)/s at 0.01 gH2O/gdw and below due to the loss of water in the free volume between trehalose molecules. These insights can guide the optimal selection of final moisture contents to advance dry preservation methods.
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14
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Hand SC, Menze MA. Molecular approaches for improving desiccation tolerance: insights from the brine shrimp Artemia franciscana. PLANTA 2015; 242:379-88. [PMID: 25809151 PMCID: PMC4498972 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-015-2281-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2015] [Accepted: 03/12/2015] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
We have evaluated the endogenous expression and molecular properties of selected Group 3 LEA proteins from Artemia franciscana , and the capacity of selected Groups 1 and 3 proteins transfected into various desiccation-sensitive cell lines to improve tolerance to drying. Organisms inhabiting both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems frequently are confronted with the problem of water loss for multiple reasons--exposure to hypersalinity, evaporative water loss, and restriction of intracellular water due to freezing of extracellular fluids. Seasonal desiccation can become severe and lead to the production of tolerant propagules and entry into the state of anhydrobiosis at various stages of the life cycle. Such is the case for gastrula-stage embryos of the brine shrimp, Artemia franciscana. Physiological and biochemical responses to desiccation are central for survival and are multifaceted. This review will evaluate the impact of multiple late embryogenesis abundant proteins originating from A. franciscana, together with the non-reducing sugar trehalose, on prevention of desiccation damage at multiple levels of biological organization. Survivorship of desiccation-sensitive cells during water stress can be improved by use of the above protective agents, coupled to metabolic preconditioning and rapid cell drying. However, obtaining long-term stability of cells in the dried state at room temperature has not been accomplished and will require continued efforts on both the physicochemical and biological fronts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven C Hand
- Division of Cellular, Developmental and Integrative Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA,
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15
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Abazari A, Chakraborty N, Hand S, Aksan A, Toner M. A Raman microspectroscopy study of water and trehalose in spin-dried cells. Biophys J 2015; 107:2253-62. [PMID: 25418294 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2014.09.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2014] [Revised: 09/24/2014] [Accepted: 09/25/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-term storage of desiccated nucleated mammalian cells at ambient temperature may be accomplished in a stable glassy state, which can be achieved by removal of water from the biological sample in the presence of glass-forming agents including trehalose. The stability of the glass may be compromised due to a nonuniform distribution of residual water and trehalose within and around the desiccated cells. Thus, quantification of water and trehalose contents at the single-cell level is critical for predicting the glass formation and stability for dry storage. Using Raman microspectroscopy, we estimated the trehalose and residual water contents in the microenvironment of spin-dried cells. Individual cells with or without intracellular trehalose were embedded in a solid thin layer of extracellular trehalose after spin-drying. We found strong evidence suggesting that the residual water was bound at a 2:1 water/trehalose molar ratio in both the extracellular and intracellular milieus. Other than the water associated with trehalose, we did not find any more residual water in the spin-dried sample, intra- or extracellularly. The extracellular trehalose film exhibited characteristics of an amorphous state with a glass transition temperature of ?22°C. The intracellular milieu also dried to levels suitable for glass formation at room temperature. These findings demonstrate a method for quantification of water and trehalose in desiccated specimens using confocal Raman microspectroscopy. This approach has broad use in desiccation studies to carefully investigate the relationship of water and trehalose content and distribution with the tolerance to drying in mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Abazari
- The Center for Engineering in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and Shriners Hospital for Children, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Nilay Chakraborty
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, Michigan
| | - Steven Hand
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
| | - Alptekin Aksan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Mehmet Toner
- The Center for Engineering in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and Shriners Hospital for Children, Boston, Massachusetts.
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16
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Oliver AE. Dry state preservation of nucleated cells: progress and challenges. Biopreserv Biobank 2015; 10:376-85. [PMID: 24849888 DOI: 10.1089/bio.2012.0020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Effective stabilization of nucleated cells for dry storage would be a transformative development in the field of cell-based biosensors and biotechnologic devices, as well as regenerative medicine and other areas in which stem cells have clinical utility. Ultimately, the tremendous promise of cell-based products will only be fully realized when stable long-term storage becomes available without the use of liquid nitrogen and bulky, energetically expensive freezers. Significant progress has been made over the last 10 years toward this goal, but obstacles still remain. Loading cells with the protective disaccharide trehalose has been achieved by several different techniques and has been shown to increase cell survival at low water contents. Likewise, the protective effect of heat shock proteins and other compounds have also been explored alone and in combination with trehalose. In some cases, the benefit of these molecules is seen not initially upon rehydration, but over time during cellular recovery. Other considerations, such as inhibiting apoptosis and utilizing isotonic buffer conditions have also provided stepwise increases in cell viability and function following drying and rehydration. In all these cases, however, a low level of residual water is required to achieve viability after rehydration. The most significant remaining challenge is to protect nucleated cells such that this residual water can be safely removed, thus allowing vitrification of intra- and extracellular trehalose and stable dry state storage at room temperature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann E Oliver
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California , Davis, California
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Vogl CJ, Miksis MJ, Davis SH, Salac D. The effect of glass-forming sugars on vesicle morphology and water distribution during drying. J R Soc Interface 2014; 11:rsif.2014.0646. [PMID: 25142522 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2014.0646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryopreservation requires that stored materials be kept at extremely low temperatures and uses cryoprotectants that are toxic to cells at high concentrations. Lyopreservation is a potential alternative where stored materials can remain at room temperatures. That storage process involves desiccating cells filled with special glass-forming sugars. However, current desiccation techniques fail to produce viable cells, and researchers suspect that incomplete vitrification of the cells is to blame. To explore this hypothesis, a cell is modelled as a lipid vesicle to monitor the water content and membrane deformation during desiccation. The vesicle is represented as a moving, bending-resistant, inextensible interface and is tracked by a level set method. The vesicle is placed in a fluid containing a spatially varying sugar concentration field. The glass-forming nature is modelled through a concentration-dependent diffusivity and viscosity. It is found that there are optimal regimes for the values of the osmotic flow parameter and of the concentration dependence of the diffusivity to limit water trapping in the vesicle. Furthermore, it is found that the concentration dependencies of the diffusivity and viscosity can have profound effects on membrane deformations, which may have significant implications for vesicle damage during the desiccation process.
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Affiliation(s)
- C J Vogl
- Department of Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208-3125, USA
| | - M J Miksis
- Department of Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208-3125, USA
| | - S H Davis
- Department of Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208-3125, USA
| | - D Salac
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The State University of New York at Buffalo, 318 Jarvis Hall, Buffalo, NY 14260-4400, USA
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18
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Mastromonaco GF, González-Grajales LA, Filice M, Comizzoli P. Somatic cells, stem cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells: how do they now contribute to conservation? ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2014; 753:385-427. [PMID: 25091918 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-0820-2_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
More than a decade has now passed since the birth of the first endangered species produced from an adult somatic cell reprogrammed by somatic cell nuclear transfer. At that time, advances made in domestic and laboratory animal species provided the necessary foundation for attempting cutting-edge technologies on threatened and endangered species. In addition to nuclear transfer, spermatogonial stem cell transplantation and induction of pluripotent stem cells have also been explored. Although many basic scientific questions have been answered and more than 30 wild species have been investigated, very few successes have been reported. The majority of studies document numerous obstacles that still need to be overcome to produce viable gametes or embryos for healthy offspring production. This chapter provides an overview of somatic cell and stem cell technologies in different taxa (mammals, fishes, birds, reptiles and amphibians) and evaluates the potential and impact of these approaches for animal species conservation.
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Less R, Boylan KLM, Skubitz APN, Aksan A. Isothermal vitrification methodology development for non-cryogenic storage of archival human sera. Cryobiology 2013; 66:176-85. [PMID: 23353801 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2013.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2012] [Revised: 12/16/2012] [Accepted: 01/15/2013] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Biorepositories worldwide collect human serum samples and store them for future research. Currently, hundreds of biorepositories across the world store human serum samples in refrigerators, freezers, or liquid nitrogen without following any specific cryopreservation protocol. This method of storage is both expensive and potentially detrimental to the biospecimens. To decrease both cost of storage and the freeze/thaw stresses, we explored the feasibility of storing archival human serum samples at non-cryogenic temperatures using isothermal vitrification. When biospecimens are vitrified, biochemical reactions can be stopped, the specimen ceases to degrade, and macromolecules can be stabilized without requiring cryogenic storage. In this study, 0.2, 0.4, or 0.8M trehalose; 0, 0.005 or 0.01M dextran; and 0 or 10% (v/v) glycerol was added to human serum samples. The samples were either dried diffusively as sessile droplets or desiccated under vacuum after they are adsorbed onto glass microfiber filters. The glass transition temperatures (Tg) of the desiccated samples were measured by temperature-ramp Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Sera samples vitrified at 4±2°C when 0.8M trehalose and 0.01M dextran were added and the samples were vacuum dried for two hours. Western immunoblotting showed that vitrified serum proteins were minimally degraded when stored for up to one month at 4°C. About 80% of all proteins were recovered after storage at 4°C on glass microfiber filters, and recovery did not decrease with storage time. These results demonstrated the feasibility of long-term storage of vitrified serum at hypothermic (and non-cryogenic) temperatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebekah Less
- Biostabilization Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 111 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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20
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Li S, Chakraborty N, Borcar A, Menze MA, Toner M, Hand SC. Late embryogenesis abundant proteins protect human hepatoma cells during acute desiccation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2012; 109:20859-64. [PMID: 23185012 PMCID: PMC3529014 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1214893109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Expression of late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins is highly correlated with desiccation tolerance in anhydrobiotic animals, selected land plants, and bacteria. Genes encoding two LEA proteins, one localized to the cytoplasm/nucleus (AfrLEA2) and one targeted to mitochondria (AfrLEA3m), were stably transfected into human HepG2 cells. A trehalose transporter was used for intracellular loading of this disaccharide. Cells were rapidly and uniformly desiccated to low water content (<0.12 g H(2)O/g dry weight) with a recently developed spin-drying technique. Immediately on rehydration, control cells without LEA proteins or trehalose exhibited 0% membrane integrity, compared with 98% in cells loaded with trehalose and expressing AfrLEA2 or AfrLEA3m; surprisingly, AfrLEA3m without trehalose conferred 94% protection. Cell proliferation across 7 d showed an 18-fold increase for cells dried with AfrLEA3m and trehalose, compared with 27-fold for nondried controls. LEA proteins dramatically enhance desiccation tolerance in mammalian cells and offer the opportunity for engineering biostability in the dried state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shumin Li
- Division of Cellular, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803
| | - Nilay Chakraborty
- Center for Engineering in Medicine and Surgical Services, Shriners Hospitals for Children and Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114; and
| | - Apurva Borcar
- Division of Cellular, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803
| | - Michael A. Menze
- Department of Biological Sciences, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL 61920
| | - Mehmet Toner
- Center for Engineering in Medicine and Surgical Services, Shriners Hospitals for Children and Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114; and
| | - Steven C. Hand
- Division of Cellular, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803
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21
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Vogl CJ, Miksis MJ, Davis SH. Moving boundary problems governed by anomalous diffusion. Proc Math Phys Eng Sci 2012. [PMID: 23197935 DOI: 10.1098/rspa.2012.0170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Anomalous diffusion can be characterized by a mean-squared displacement 〈x(2)(t)〉 that is proportional to t(α) where α≠1. A class of one-dimensional moving boundary problems is investigated that involves one or more regions governed by anomalous diffusion, specifically subdiffusion (α<1). A novel numerical method is developed to handle the moving interface as well as the singular history kernel of subdiffusion. Two moving boundary problems are solved: the first involves a subdiffusion region to the one side of an interface and a classical diffusion region to the other. The interface will display non-monotone behaviour. The subdiffusion region will always initially advance until a given time, after which it will always recede. The second problem involves subdiffusion regions to both sides of an interface. The interface here also reverses direction after a given time, with the more subdiffusive region initially advancing and then receding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Vogl
- Department of Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics , Northwestern University , 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208-3125, USA
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22
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Blount MJ, Miksis MJ, Davis SH. Fluid flow beneath a semipermeable membrane during drying processes. PHYSICAL REVIEW. E, STATISTICAL, NONLINEAR, AND SOFT MATTER PHYSICS 2012; 85:016330. [PMID: 22400680 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.85.016330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The dynamic interactions between a semipermeable membrane and a long, thin layer of liquid beneath it are investigated in the context of drying processes. The membrane separates two aqueous solutions of sugar, and the transport of water across the membrane is driven by concentration and pressure gradients across it. A model is formulated using a long-wave approximation that includes the effects of volume loss due to water transport across the membrane, the incompressibility and bending stiffness of the membrane, and the dynamical effects that arise owing to the viscous stresses generated by the fluid flow. This model is first applied to study the desiccation of a sessile vesicle that is clamped to a rigid substrate and then also to study the behavior of blisters on laminated substrates. For each problem, equilibrium membrane shapes are obtained and their bifurcation structures are described as the sugar concentration above the membrane is varied. It is demonstrated that a wrinkled membrane coarsens to lessen the frequency of wrinkles and that if the membrane is clamped symmetrically so that it meets the substrate at a nonzero angle, then the membrane favors an asymmetric shape as water is drawn out through it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurice J Blount
- Department of Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA
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Chakraborty N, Menze MA, Malsam J, Aksan A, Hand SC, Toner M. Cryopreservation of spin-dried mammalian cells. PLoS One 2011; 6:e24916. [PMID: 21966385 PMCID: PMC3178566 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0024916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2011] [Accepted: 08/19/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This study reports an alternative approach to achieve vitrification where cells are pre-desiccated prior to cooling to cryogenic temperatures for storage. Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells suspended in a trehalose solution were rapidly and uniformly desiccated to a low moisture content (<0.12 g of water per g of dry weight) using a spin-drying technique. Trehalose was also introduced into the cells using a high-capacity trehalose transporter (TRET1). Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to examine the uniformity of water concentration distribution in the spin-dried samples. 62% of the cells were shown to survive spin-drying in the presence of trehalose following immediate rehydration. The spin-dried samples were stored in liquid nitrogen (LN(2)) at a vitrified state. It was shown that following re-warming to room temperature and re-hydration with a fully complemented cell culture medium, 51% of the spin-dried and vitrified cells survived and demonstrated normal growth characteristics. Spin-drying is a novel strategy that can be used to improve cryopreservation outcome by promoting rapid vitrification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilay Chakraborty
- Center for Engineering in Medicine and BioMEMS Resource Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School and Shriners Hospital for Children, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America.
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