Research progress in on-chip cryopreservation of living cells

Abstract

With the gradual integration of molecules, cells and micro tissues, organ models into microfluidic chips, the platform value of microfluidic chips is increasingly prominent in biomedical field. The development of cryopreservation of cell samples on chip is not only the essential condition for realizing this value, but a beneficial innovation for traditional cryopreservation of cell samples. In this paper, the cryopreservation techniques of cell samples on microfluidic chips were reviewed, including slow freezing of cell samples on chips and temperature control in this process, theoretical analysis and verification of vitrification of cell samples on chips. Furthermore, preservation of cell samples on chips at non-cryogenic temperature was introduced. Finally, the dynamics and problems in on-chip cryopreservation of cell samples were briefly analyzed to provide reference for relative researches. Key words: Cryopreservation; Microfluidic chips; Cell samples