Preservation and Storage of Cells for Therapy: Fundamental Aspects of Low Temperature Science

Preservation and storage of living cells play an important role in many areas of biotechnology and cell therapy. In most cases the power of cold to control biological deterioration forms the basis of the preservation strategies, but low temperatures of themselves can be equally disruptive on cell function if applied in inappropriate ways. Successful preservation protocols have developed to mitigate these detrimental effects. In this chapter, we discuss how low temperatures coupled with the use of cryoprotectants are currently applied for preservation and the significant impacts of cooling to deep cryogenic temperatures. Current methods of liquid cool storage and deep subzero preservation by controlled slow cooling or vitrification are outlined. The methods for reanimation of functional cells are discussed, along with the equipment and protocols essential to achieve this, and new technologies coming online to optimize these requirements. These provide a consensus document from many authors and centers across the world and a basis to understand the current real-world applications for a range of cells and tissues of clinical importance discussed in the second associated chapter.