Back to results
US 6,673,607 B2Granted
Microinjection of cryoprotectants for preservation of cells
OwnerMehmet Toner, Ali Eroglu +1inventors
InventorsMehmet Toner, Ali Eroglu, Thomas Toth
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A preservation method for biological material having cell membranes includes microinjecting the cells with sugar; preparing the cells for storage; storing the biological material; and recovering the stored biological material from storage. Carbohydrate sugars such as trehalose, sucrose, fructose, dextran, and raffinose, may be used as bio-protective agents.
Claims37
A method for treating a living cell, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) microinjecting into the cytoplasm of said cell a protective agent which (i) comprises a sugar, (ii) is substantially non-permeating with respect to mammalian cell membranes, and (iii) maintains the viability of said cell such that it can be stored in a temporarily dormant state and substantially restored to an active state;
- (b) treating said cell to cause it to enter said dormant state;
- and
- (c) storing said cell in said dormant state.
1 more element
A method for producing a fertilized oocyte, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) microinjecting into the cytoplasm of an oocyte a protective agent which (i) comprises a sugar, (ii) is substantially non-permeating with respect to mammalian cell membranes, and (iii) maintains the viability of said oocyte such that it can be stored in a temporarily dormant state and substantially restored to an active state;
- (b) treating said oocyte to cause it to enter said dormant state;
- (c) storing said oocyte in said dormant state;
- (d) treating said oocyte to restore it to an active state;
- and
- (e) fertilizing said oocyte.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.