Cryopreservation of livestock colostrum-derived mesenchymal stem cells

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Currently, antibiotics are widely used to prevent and control disease and infections in farm animals such as pigsand cows. However, the continued use of antibiotics in animals meant for human consumption can cause thegrowth of bacteria that become resistant to antibiotics. These harmful bacteria can also be passed on to humansvia the food chain. Health Canada is moving to phase out the use of some antibiotics in the animal industry tolimit the danger posed to the public by antibiotic-resistant bacteria in meat and other animal products.Therefore, new, safe and efficient strategies are needed to improve overall immunity and general health oflivestock by preventing disease/infection without the use of antibiotics. MySteM Biotechnologies Inc.(MySteMBiotech) is developing a new product composed of cells from the milk of pigs and cows that can beused instead of antibiotics. The source of the cells is the colostrum, the "first milk" released during the fewdays within the time the animals give birth. While it is widely known that colostrum is rich in antibodies, theirpreliminary results show that it also contains a special type of cells called mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).These cells have the ability to boost the body's protective response against microorganisms that can causedisease. The company has successfully isolated these cells from pig and cow colostrum and grown them inculture to increase their numbers. They have also shown that these cells have the ability to wipe out bacteria inculture. Our expertise in the field of long-term storage of live cells and tissues will address the company's needfor strategies to freeze the cells so they can be kept alive for future use and in a form that can be readily andsafely given to farm animals. The enabling and innovative technology that is anticipated to result from thisstudy represents a natural and economic approach to enhance the health of Canada's livestock and boost ouragriculture and agri-food industry.