Cryopreservation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Introduction Embryonic stem cells (ESC) have unique capacities both for self-renewal and pluripotency. Human ESCs (hESCs) are therefore a potential source for regenerative medicine and tissue replacement after injury or disease. Significant obstacles to using hESCs arise from extremely poor survival associated with freezing, typically in the range of 1%, and from the need for high levels of cryoprotectants that are likely to cause poor performance upon thaw. Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a method that provides for stable storage and high viability of hESCs cells. Technology description The present invention describes a slow, controlled-rate freezing technique commonly used for mammalian embryo cryopreservation. This method allows 79% (±15) survival of cells with no apparent setback in growth or alterations in hESC self-renewal capacity. To achieve the highest levels of survival, this method’s critical factors are an ice crystal seed, a slow freezing rate and a rapid thaw using room temperature water. Slow controlled-rate cooling allows a rapid, simple, and reproducible means of cryopreserving hESCs. Business opportunity The hESCs have a variety of research and potential clinical uses. Diseases that might be treated by transplanting hESCs include Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, traumatic spinal cord injury, Purkinje cell degeneration, Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy, heart failure, and osteogenesis imperfecta. hESCs can also be used to study early events in human development, to screen potential toxins and test candidate therapeutic drugs. For many purposes, it is therefore desirable to have the ability to store hESCs for long periods of time. Intellectual property position The University has applied for patent protection to secure the rights to this technology. Related Publication(s)Biotechniques 2005 Jun; 38:879-883
Type of Offer: Licensing
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