Antifreeze proteins for low temperature protection and preservation of living material

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Low temperature preservation of cells, tissues and organs has widespread applications for both agriculture and medicine but not all biologicals can be frozen. Canadian industrial scientists have now devised specialized media and equipment to keep these freeze-sensitive living samples below 0 °C without freezing, in a "cryostasis" process. Although this process appears promising in the laboratory, in order to ensure the long term viability of living tissue at sub-zero temperatures, and to bring this technology to the market place, additional insurance is needed. This will be provided by supplementing the storage medium with antifreeze proteins (AFPs). AFPs are produced by overwintering insects to prevent freeze damage to their tissues, exactly the process that is being imitated in this technology. To achieve this goal the AFPs will be produced in specialized bacterial strains and in green algae, purified, and added to the low temperature preservation media. Subsequently, the below zero survival of cells, tissues and model organisms will be assessed for safety and utility, both as individual proteins and in combination with other AFPs from freeze-tolerant organisms. This research will benefit Canada and Canadian industry. There is no doubt that AFP supplementation offers great promise for agricultural practice and as well, a consulting medical expert dubbed it a "game changer" for future tissue preservation and transplants.