Indigenous Protocol for Cryopreservation of Cord Blood

Umbilical cord blood (UCB) collected from umbilical cord and placenta following child birth, is a rich source of stem cells which are preserved and harvested for treatment of many diseases and for use in stem cell research. Efficient preservation of cord blood cells is crucial for availability of viable stem cells at the time of need. Scientists at NCCS have developed a unique technique for cryopreservation of UCB cells for banking and research.This protocol includes three stage approaches of processing, quality check and finally cryopreservation of the UCB samples.

Storage of Cells

This protocol addresses various issues related to cryopreservation of cord blood cells including prevention of cryoinjury, improving migration, adhesion and homing of cells, and protecting functionality of hematopoietic cells that are important for clinical applications such as growth factor responsiveness, preservation of surface molecules and long-term culture-forming ability.

Technology Readiness: TRL B3 (In-vitro efficacy + Safety & Toxicology demonstrated)

Technology Status: Proprietary know-how

Technology Availability: Know-how available for transfer.

References:

  1. Prevention of Apoptosis as a Possible Mechanism behind Improved Cryoprotection of Hematopoietic Cells by Catalase and Trehalose, Transplantation Vol 80, Number 9, November 15, 2005 (Article).
  2. Bone Marrow Cryopreservation: Improved Recovery Due to Bioantioxidant Additives in the Freezing Solution, Stem Cells 1997; 15:353-358 (Article).
  3. A combination of catalase and trehalose as additives to conventional freezing medium results in improved cryoprotection of human hematopoietic cells with reference to in vitro migration and adhesion properties, TRANSFUSION, Vol 45, April 2005 (Article).
  4. Supplementation of Conventional Freezing Medium with a Combination of Catalase and Trehalose Results in Better Protection of Surface Molecules and Functionality of Hematopoietic Cells, Journal Of Hematotherapy & Stem Cell Research 2003, 12:553–564 (Article).