Research Progresses in Vitrification by Minimum Volume Method

Abstract

Vitrification is an effective method in the field of cryopreservation since it can prevent the formation of ice crystals. Vitrification requires ultra-fast cooling rates and high concentrations of cryoprotective agents. However, osmotic injury and toxic damage can be caused by high concentration of cryoprotective agents. The minimum volume methods can significantly increase the cooling rate and reduce the concentration of cryoprotective agents in vitrification. In this paper, the latest research progresses in vitrification by minimum volume methods are reviewed. The minimum volume methods include carrier-based droplet vitrification, spray droplet vitrification, bio-printing droplet vitrification, and microfluidic encapsulation droplet vitrification. Among these, spray droplet vitrification, bio-printing droplet vitrification, and microfluidic encapsulation droplet vitrification are the combination of emerging droplet generation technology and vitrification technology. Because of the rapid generation of uniform droplets and high throughput, they have great potential in the field of cryopreservation.

Keywords

• minimum volume methods
• vitrification
• spray droplet
• bio-printing
• microfluidic encapsulation