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Efficient Cryopreservation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells by Surface-Based Vitrification

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Cryopreservation and Freeze-Drying Protocols

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1257))

Abstract

Efficient cryopreservation of human stem cells is crucial for guaranteeing a permanent supply of high-quality cell material for drug discovery or regenerative medicine. Conventionally used protocols usually employing slow freezing rates, however, result in low recovery rates for human pluripotent stem cells due to their complex colony structure. In this chapter, a surface-based vitrification protocol for pluripotent stem cells is presented based on a procedure for human embryonic stem cells developed by Beier et al. (Cryobiology 63:175–185, 2011). This simple and highly efficient cryopreservation method allows cryopreservation of large numbers of ready-to-use adherent cells that maintain pluripotency.

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Acknowledgments

The work with human embryonic stem cells was permitted by the Robert Koch Institute (18 and 44 permission) and carried out according to German law.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Technology (IBMT), Ensheimer Str. 48, 66386, St. Ingbert, Germany

    Julia C. Neubauer, Axel F. Beier & Heiko Zimmermann Ph.D.

  2. Hubrecht Institute and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands

    Axel F. Beier & Niels Geijsen

  3. Utrecht University School for Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht, Netherlands

    Niels Geijsen

  4. Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany

    Heiko Zimmermann Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Julia C. Neubauer
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  2. Axel F. Beier
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  3. Niels Geijsen
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  4. Heiko Zimmermann Ph.D.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Heiko Zimmermann Ph.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Multiphase Processes, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover, Germany

    Willem F. Wolkers

  2. Unit for Reproductive Medicine, Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany

    Harriëtte Oldenhof

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Neubauer, J.C., Beier, A.F., Geijsen, N., Zimmermann, H. (2015). Efficient Cryopreservation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells by Surface-Based Vitrification. In: Wolkers, W., Oldenhof, H. (eds) Cryopreservation and Freeze-Drying Protocols. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1257. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2193-5_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2193-5_13

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-2192-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-2193-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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