Cryo-storage Biotechnologies for Cell-Based Therapies
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Warwick
Department Name: School of Life Sciences
Abstract
This project is an academic industry collaboration to discover, develop and apply new macromolecular cryoprotectants - synthetic polymers which protect biologics against cold stress. In particular we will aim to link structure to function and show functional recovery of therapeutically relevant biologics.
| Description | Our group has previously discovered a formulation of commercially available polymer to cryopreserve bacteriophages (which we used as a model for the viral vectors towards long-term storage of cell therapy viral vectors). We are now working towards translating the cryoprotective formulation on viral vectors for T-cell line transfection. In addition, we have discovered a group of anti-bacteriophage polymers we synthesized from commercially available monomers. These have benefits in the food industry, particularly in the dairy fermentation sector, where bacteria are actively used as fermenting agents and phage infection outbreaks would ruin food stocks. |
| Exploitation Route | In terms of cryopreservation of bacteriophages, the formulation may be applied by hospitals or therapeutics to treat internal microbial infections. The aim of this therapy type is to reduce the antibiotic dosage for therapy. The anti-phage polymers can be implemented by food industries, especially the dairy sector. The polymers have been patented as well, so there's potential commercial interest in their implementation. |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Healthcare,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| URL | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34846863/ |
| Description | The inhibition polymers discovered have been patented this year, before the research publication, due to their interest in the food industry (specifically dairy production/fermentation processes). Future uses include direct implementation of the polymers in the industry. A horizon prize was awarded for polymer-mediated bacteriophage cryopreservation, due to its novel contribution to the field of cryobiology. This goes beyond the scope of academia. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2022 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Healthcare,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Impact Types | Societal,Economic |