Award
NIH Reporter #2R44GM156169-02
Improving cryopreservation outcomes of small biological samples through ultra-fast convective cooling and warming
Recipient
MITEGEN, LLC
Award Amount
$999,741.00
Ceiling
$999,741.00
Awarded
August 14, 2026
Identifier
2R44GM156169-02
Development and validation of ultra-fast cryopreservation technology for small biological samples to improve cooling/warming rates, reduce ice formation, and enhance reproducibility and throughput.
Description
This project aims to develop and validate cryopreservation technology that automates soaking, cooling, and warming; increases convective cooling and warming rates for small samples by a factor approaching 102 over current practice; eliminates ice formation and associated damage; allows cryoprotectant concentrations to be substantially reduced; reduces cooling and warming times toward ~1 millisecond; and improves reproducibility and throughput. The work will be informed by studies of ice formation, cryocooling expertise, and demonstration of fully ice-free cryopreservation of embryos.