Cryopreservation and Freeze-Drying Protocols

This fourth edition explores fully up-to-date standardly used cryopreservation, vitrification, and freeze-drying protocols for specimens that are used for research purposes, conservation of genetic reserves, and applications in agriculture and medicine. Beginning with a section on the fundamentals as well as the use of mathematical modeling to solve cryobiological problems, the book continues with sections on technological aspects of freezing and drying, analytical methods to study protectant loading of cells and tissues, cell behavior during freezing and drying, and thermodynamic properties of preservation solutions, as well as cryopreservation, vitrification, and freeze-drying protocols for a wide variety of samples and different applications. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Thorough and authoritative, Cryopreservation and Freeze-Drying Protocols, Fourth Edition serves as an ideal guide for researchers and technical assistants in academia and industry with a background in life sciences, medicine, or engineering who want to investigate freezing and drying of biological systems or set up methods to safely store biological specimens while maintaining their function upon reconstitution.