Cryobiology Applications

Application Definitions

• Blood / Cancer Therapies

  • Cryogenics is the study of extremely low temperatures, and it is used in a variety of applications, including in blood and cancer therapies.

• • One way in which cryogenics is used in blood therapies is through the process of cryopreservation, which involves freezing blood or blood components (such as red blood cells or platelets) at very low temperatures (-80°C or colder) to preserve them for later use. Cryopreserved blood products can be stored for long periods of time and used when needed, making them a valuable resource for hospitals and blood banks.

• • Cryogenics is also used in cancer therapies through the use of cryotherapy, which involves the use of extreme cold to destroy abnormal or diseased tissue. In cryotherapy for cancer, liquid nitrogen or argon gas is used to freeze and destroy cancerous tumors or cells. This treatment is often used to treat prostate cancer, as well as other types of cancer such as breast, liver, and kidney cancer. Cryotherapy can be used as a standalone treatment or in combination with other therapies such as chemotherapy or radiation.

• In Vitro Fertilization

  • Cryogenics is used in in vitro fertilization (IVF) to preserve fertility by freezing eggs, sperm, and embryos.
  • To preserve fertility, eggs, sperm, or embryos can be cryopreserved (frozen) at very low temperatures (-196°C) using a process called vitrification. Cryopreserved eggs, sperm, and embryos can be stored for long periods of time and used when needed, making them a valuable resource for people who wish to preserve their fertility for future use.

• • Cryopreserved eggs, sperm, and embryos can be thawed and used in future IVF cycles, or they can be used to create genetically related children through the use of gestational surrogates or egg donation. Cryopreservation is also used in fertility preservation for cancer patients, who may wish to preserve their fertility before undergoing cancer treatments that could affect their fertility.

• Medical Oxygen

  • Cryogenics is used in the production of medical oxygen through the process of cryogenic air separation.

• • In this process, air is cooled to very low temperatures (-196°C) and then separated into its component parts using a process called fractional distillation. The gases that make up air, including oxygen, nitrogen, and argon, have different boiling points, and they can be separated by taking advantage of these differences.

• • Oxygen is one of the most important gases produced through cryogenic air separation, as it is essential for human life. Medical oxygen is used in a variety of applications, including in hospitals and other medical settings to help patients who have difficulty breathing, as well as in oxygen therapy for people with lung conditions such as asthma or emphysema.
  • Cryogenic air separation is also used to produce other gases, such as nitrogen and argon, which have a variety of industrial and commercial uses.

• Pharmaceutical Freeze Drying

  • Cryogenics is used in pharmaceutical freeze drying, also known as lyophilization, to preserve the stability, potency, and shelf life of certain medications.
  • During the freeze drying process, a medication is frozen and then placed in a vacuum chamber, where the frozen water within the medication is sublimated (turned directly from a solid into a gas) and removed. This process leaves behind a dry, porous product that is more stable and has a longer shelf life than the original medication.
  • Cryogenic freeze drying is often used for medications that are sensitive to heat, moisture, or oxygen, as it allows them to be preserved without the use of heat or refrigeration. Freeze-dried medications are also easier to store and transport than their liquid or frozen counterparts, as they take up less space and are less prone to degradation.
  • Cryogenic freeze drying is used to preserve a wide range of medications, including vaccines, enzymes, hormones, and other biological products. It is also used in the production of certain food products, such as instant coffee and dried fruit.

• Tissue Transplant / Preservation

  • Cryogenics is used in tissue transplantation and preservation to store tissues and organs at very low temperatures (-196°C) until they are needed for transplantation.
  • The process of cryopreservation involves freezing tissues or organs using a cryoprotectant solution, which helps to prevent the formation of ice crystals that can damage the tissue. Once the tissue or organ is frozen, it can be stored in a cryogenic tank filled with liquid nitrogen until it is needed for transplantation.
  • Cryopreservation is used to store a variety of tissues and organs, including blood cells, skin, and heart valves, as well as whole organs such as kidneys, livers, and hearts. Cryopreservation allows these tissues and organs to be stored for long periods of time, making them a valuable resource for transplantation.
  • Cryopreservation is also used in research to preserve tissues and organs for study, as well as in the production of certain medications and biological products.

• Biotech Research

  • Cryogenics is used in biotech research to preserve cells, tissues, and organs at very low temperatures (-196°C) for study and experimentation.
  • Cryopreservation allows researchers to store biological samples for long periods of time without degradation, making it an important tool for studying the properties and functions of these samples. Cryopreserved samples can be thawed and used in a variety of experimental settings, including in cell culture, tissue engineering, and drug development.
  • Cryopreservation is also used to preserve valuable research materials, such as genetically modified organisms (GMOs), stem cells, and rare or endangered species, for future study and experimentation.
  • In addition to preserving biological samples, cryogenics is also used in biotech research to study the effects of extreme cold on living cells and tissues, as well as to develop new technologies and techniques for cryopreservation and cryotherapy.

• Cryopreservation of Cells and Tissues

  • Cryopreservation is a process that involves freezing cells or tissues at very low temperatures (-196°C) in order to preserve them for future use. Cryopreservation is used in a variety of applications, including in tissue transplantation and preservation, as well as in research and industry.
  • Cryopreservation allows cells and tissues to be stored for long periods of time without degradation, making it an important tool for preserving valuable materials for future use. Cryopreserved cells and tissues can be thawed and used in a variety of experimental settings, including in cell culture, tissue engineering, and drug development.
  • Cryopreservation is also used to preserve valuable research materials, such as genetically modified organisms (GMOs), stem cells, and rare or endangered species, for future study and experimentation. In addition, cryopreservation is used to store cells and tissues for use in tissue transplantation, such as in the case of blood cells, skin, and heart valves, as well as whole organs such as kidneys, livers, and hearts.
  • Cryopreservation is a complex process that requires the use of specialized equipment and techniques to ensure the viability of the cells or tissues being preserved. It is an essential tool in many areas of research and medicine, and it continues to be an active area of study and development.

• Cryosurgery

  • Cryosurgery is a medical procedure that involves the use of extreme cold to destroy abnormal or diseased tissue. It is also known as cryotherapy.
  • In cryosurgery, liquid nitrogen or argon gas is used to freeze and destroy the targeted tissue. The extreme cold causes the water within the cells to crystallize, leading to cell death. Cryosurgery is often used to treat cancerous tumors, as well as other conditions such as warts, precancerous lesions, and spinal tumors.
  • Cryosurgery is a minimally invasive procedure that can be performed on an outpatient basis. It is often used as an alternative to more traditional surgical procedures, as it can be less invasive and have fewer side effects. However, cryosurgery is not suitable for all types of conditions, and it may not be appropriate for large or deep tumors.
  • Cryosurgery is an important tool in the field of medicine, and it continues to be an active area of research and development.