Frozen tissues could revolutionize organ transplants and cancer treatment.
In this study, scientists aimed to find a better way to freeze tissues for later use. They tested a new mix of a special substance called a zwitterion and a common cryoprotectant called DMSO in water on tiny tissue units called cell spheroids. This mix worked better than what's typically used, keeping more cells alive and functioning well after freezing. The best mix was 10% zwitterion, 15% DMSO, and 75% water. When this mix was used to freeze mouse and human tumor tissues, it successfully preserved more living cells compared to the standard method. This research shows that this new solution can be a promising option for storing tissues to use later.