Cryoprotectant polymers and methods of making and using thereof

Abstract

Disclosed herein are cryoprotective polymers. The cryoprotective polymers can include one or more DMSO-like moieties (e.g., one or more sulfoxide moieties, one or more sulfone moieties, or a combination thereof) that many the hydrogen-bonding characteristics of DMSO with the advantages of polymeric cryoprotectants. In doing so, very high post-thaw recovery of example cells and tissues can be achieved. The cryoprotective effects of these polymers can result from a limitation of total ice formation, a disruption of water hydrogen-bonding networks, and a well-timed vitrification of the unfrozen space between ice crystals. Also provided are cryoprotective solutions comprising these cryoprotective polymers as well as methods of using these polymers and solutions to preserve biological materials.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.