Uploaded March 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Cell membranes are the primary site of damage during cryopreservation in liquid nitrogen due to the formation of ice both inside and outside of cells. Cryosolvents are used to promote the formation of a glassy state of water and prevent the formation of damaging ice, but their presence can also be damaging to the integrity of cell membranes.
Aonghas' project will will use molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to study the mechanism of action of cryosolvents with model cell membranes of complex lipid composition at different levels of desiccation to mimic the process of dehydration that occurs during cryopreservation, with two specific aims: (1) describe in atomistic detail the interactions of cryosolvents with cell membranes and the changes in membrane properties, and (2) conduct 3D stereoscopic visualization of these molecular events. Molecular simulation and 3D visualization will enable the elucidation of what is a complex, challenging and yet fascinating problem in cryogenics.
Cell membranes are the primary site of damage during cryopreservation in liquid nitrogen due to the formation of ice both inside and outside of cells. Cryosolvents are used to promote the formation of a glassy state of water and prevent the formation of damaging ice, but their presence can also be damaging to the integrity of cell membranes.
Aonghas' project will will use molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to study the mechanism of action of cryosolvents with model cell membranes of complex lipid composition at different levels of desiccation to mimic the process of dehydration that occurs during cryopreservation, with two specific aims: (1) describe in atomistic detail the interactions of cryosolvents with cell membranes and the changes in membrane properties, and (2) conduct 3D stereoscopic visualization of these molecular events. Molecular simulation and 3D visualization will enable the elucidation of what is a complex, challenging and yet fascinating problem in cryogenics.
