CAREER: Rational Design of Cryopreservation Techniques for Cells and Tissues

该奖项的总体研究目标是推进细胞和组织对冷冻保存反应的最先进的机械性理论建模，以使合理设计对细胞造成最小损害的冷冻/解冻方案成为可能。这将通过以下步骤完成：(1)模拟高Peclet数区域中的水传输；(2)解冻过程的模拟；(3)测量冷冻保护剂溶液的物理性质；(4)验证模型；(5)分析组织冷冻保存；以及(6)整合冷冻和解冻方案的优化。教育目标是：(1)通过交叉教育活动，提高工程师对生物学以及生物学家和临床医生对工程方法的认识；(2)利用这些互动来改善学生的教育体验。教育目标将通过四个综合战略来实现。

The overall research objective of this award is to advance the state-of-the-art in mechanistic theoretical modeling of the response of cells and tissues to cryopresevation in order to make possible the rational design of freeze/thaw protocols which cause minimal cell damage. This is to be done by: (1) modeling water transport in high Peclet number regimes; (2) modeling of the thawing process; (3) measuring physical properties of cryoprotectant solutions; (4) verifying the models; (5) analyzing tissue cryopreservation; and (6) integrating the optimization of freezing and thawing protocols. The educational objectives are to: (1) enhance awareness of biology among engineers and of engineering methods among biologists and clinicians via cross-cutting educational activities; and (2) use these interactions to enhance educational experiences for students. The educational objectives are to be achieved by using four integrated strategies.