New Study Shows Cloning from Dried Cells No...( New Freeze Drying Technology Could Ha...),Health

New Freeze Drying Technology Could Have Widespread Use in Improving Medical

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MT. LAUREL, N.J., Sept. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Core Dynamics Inc. today announced that cloning with freeze-dried cells is possible for the first time, according to new study findings in the August issue of the research journal PLos One. The company's patented IMT freeze-drying technology was used in the study.

Cloning starts when an egg without genetic material is injected with cells with it. Until now, these cells had to be fresh or frozen and thawed just before injection.

In the investigation, the cells were freeze-dried and stored for three years at room temperature. They then were revived by adding water and successfully used to form sheep embryos.

The key benefit is that now clinicians can preserve cells with minimal storage costs for long periods of time. "We didn't see any reduction in the viability of the cells during the three years; therefore, theoretically they could be stored indefinitely under optimal conditions," explained lead investigator Professor Pasqualino Loi, DVM, PhD, department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Teramo University, Teramo, Italy.

"This milestone could signal the dawn of a new era in biomedicine by facilitating the use of cells that can regenerate damaged tissue in the cartilage and heart and other tissue or organs, as well as by significantly increasing access to red-blood, bone-marrow and other cells currently used in medical care," Dr. Loi added.

Scientists have long been trying to freeze dry cells to allow for easier handling, reduced storage costs and better availability. Storing frozen cells with liquid nitrogen is the current gold standard but is costly and complicated, with special transportation and storage requirements. It also can cause cell damage and contamination, and the needed equipment is not always available in developing countries
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