By Sarah Marsh
One of the biggest challenges faced by basic, pre-clinical, and clinical research, is ensuring that the quality of cellular material is fit for purpose. Conventionally, cryopreservation has been an attractive model for researchers, as freezing allows long-term storage of biospecimens within biobanks, or shipment of samples on dry ice. This traditional method continues to dominate the industry, but only through lack of alternative solutions. The demand for new storage and shipment technology is imminent, as the disadvantages of cryopreservation are becoming increasingly stressful to both scientists and our planet.
Cryopreservation Cons:
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Cellular Damage: Freeze-thaw cycles can cause ice crystal formation, leading to cell membrane damage and reduced viability. When cells do freeze well, often cell function is attenuated post-thaw.
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Logistical Complexity: Shipping on dry ice requires specialised packaging and expedited delivery. Even worse, shipping delays and problems at customs can lead to cell thaw and sample loss.
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Cost: Cryogenic shipping is expensive, especially for long-distance or international transport.
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Environmental Impact: High energy costs of ultralow freezers, energy-intensive liquid nitrogen and dry ice manufacture, high package tare weights and excessive use of non-recyclable materials all contribute to cryopreservation’s negative impact on our planet.
- Limited Flexibility: Strict temperature requirements restrict shipping options and timing. Sample distribution to remote locations, without the cryopreservation infrastructure in place, is not possible.
Cryo to Hypo
To overcome the challenges above, Atelerix are now pioneering a shift from cryopreservation to hypothermic storage and shipment of biospecimens. Atelerix’s technology is centred around an alginate-based hydrogel, which provides both biochemical and mechanical protection of cells at ambient temperatures. This addresses the critical pain points of cryopreservation, making storage and shipment easy and affordable.
Hypothermic Preservation Pros:
1. Maintaining Cell Viability and Function
Atelerix’s alginate-based hydrogel technology stabilises the cell membrane, preventing lipid membrane damage and subsequent cell death that is usually induced by hypothermia. This hydrogel protection allows samples to be stored or shipped at room temperature or refrigerated temperature for extended periods of time, while cells retain their viability, phenotype, and function. Samples are easily retrieved through the addition of a dissolution buffer which rapidly dissolves the gel. Atelerix’s technology has demonstrated successful preservation of over 60 different cell types, for up to 2 weeks, depending on the specific cell type – see Figure 1 for an example.
2. Simplifying Logistics
The ability to ship at ambient temperatures eliminates the need for dry ice and specialised containers. It also enhances the resilience of collections and shipments, protecting valuable samples from delays and thawing, or freezer failures. This simplification is particularly beneficial for multi-site clinical trials or collaborations across different time zones. Hypothermic preservation of cells using Atelerix’s product, CytoStor, is performed in a matter of minutes:
Figure 1. Hypothermic preservation of cells using Atelerix’s product, CytoStor.
3. Cost Reduction
By removing the need for cryogenic shipping, hypothermic preservation significantly reduces transportation costs. This is especially impactful for long-distance or international shipments, where dry ice replenishment and expedited delivery can be major expenses.
4. Environmental Sustainability
Atelerix’s hypothermic approach eliminates freezing, significantly reducing space and energy requirements, contributing to an eco-friendlier industry. The elimination of dry ice and reduction in carbon footprint associated with expedited shipments aligns with the growing emphasis on sustainable scientific practices.
5. Flexibility in Research Design
The extended preservation time at room temperature (up to 1 week for many cell types) offers greater flexibility in experimental planning and execution. This can be particularly advantageous when coordinating complex studies across multiple sites or when dealing with unexpected delays.
The Evidence Is In The Execution
Despite these glaringly obvious benefits of hypo over cryo for short-term storage and shipment, the biggest hurdle to adoption is a resistance to change. Transitioning from a familiar, integrated freezing method seems daunting and uncertain. This is why Atelerix has collected data from our internal studies, and established collaborations with real users at external laboratories to prove that the performance of cell samples stabilised at ambient temperature in Atelerix’s technology is comparable, or even better, superior to freezing. We cover over 60 cell types, including multiple cell lines, MSCs, endothelial cells, epithelial cells, fibroblasts, iPSCs, immune cells, and more (see our datapack for more detail). As an example, here’s how hypothermic preservation using CytoStor simplifies your cell storage and shipment process.
Preserving T Cells for Immunotherapy Research, to ship between research sites.
- Preparation:
- Traditional method: Cryopreserve T cells using DMSO, requiring careful temperature control.
- Hypothermic method: Encapsulate T cells in Atelerix's hydrogel (e.g., using CytoStor™), a simple 5-minute process.
- Shipping:
- Traditional: Arrange for dry ice, specialised packaging, and expedited shipping.
- Hypothermic: Package in standard containers and ship at ambient temperature.
- Receiving:
- Traditional: Immediate transfer to liquid nitrogen storage; careful thawing process.
- Hypothermic: Store at room temperature; quick dissolution when ready to use.
- Cell Recovery:
- Traditional: Variable recovery rates due to freeze-thaw stress.
- Hypothermic: High viability and functionality maintained, with up to 4-fold increase in viable cell yield for certain cell types.
It’s clear that Atelerix’s hypothermic technology offers a versatile solution for a wide range of cell types and research applications, all while simplifying logistics, reducing costs, and aligning with sustainability goals. It’s time to start taking ambient storage seriously, and to help you get started, Atelerix offers free sample kits to suit your needs.
Take the Next Step in Revolutionising Your Cell Preservation
Are you ready to experience the benefits of hypothermic preservation in your research? Atelerix is here to help you transition beyond traditional cryopreservation methods.
Request a Sample Kit: Try our innovative technology firsthand. We offer sample kits for various cell types and research applications.
Schedule a Consultation: Our team of experts is available to discuss your specific research needs and how our products can streamline your workflows.
Don't let outdated preservation methods hold back your groundbreaking research. Contact Atelerix today and discover how hypothermic preservation can transform your cell shipping processes.
Revolutionise your cell preservation approach – your research deserves nothing less.
