Freezing and thawing of cells on a microfluidic device: a simple and time-saving experimental procedure
Lv, Xiaoqing; Ma, Zhengtai; Guo, Lin Source: Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biochemistry, v 87, n 12, p 1478-1484, December 1, 2023;
Abstract:
Developing cell cryopreservation methods on chips is not only crucial for biomedical science but also represents an innovative approach for preserving traditional cell samples. This study presents a simple method for direct cell freezing and thawing on chip, allowing for long-term storage of cells. During the freezing process, cells were injected into the microchannel along with a conventional cell cryopreservation solution, and the chip was packed using a self-sealing bag containing isopropyl alcohol and then stored in a –80°C refrigerator until needed. During the thawing process, microcolumn arrays with a spacing of 8 μm were strategically incorporated into the microfluidic chip design to effectively inhibit cells from the channel. The breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 and B47D demonstrated successful thawing and growth after cryopreservation for 1 month to 1 year. These findings offer a direct cell freezing and thawing method on a microfluidic chip for subsequent experiments.
© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Agrochemistry. All rights reserved. (18 refs.)