Cryoprotectant polymers and methods of making and using thereof

摘要: Disclosed herein are cryoprotective polymers. The cryopro tective polymers can include one or more DMSO-like moi eties (eg, one or more sulfoxide moieties, one or more sulfone moieties, or a combination thereof) that many the hydrogen-bonding characteristics of DMSO with the advan tages of polymeric cryoprotectants. In doing so, very high post-thaw recovery of example cells and tissues can be achieved. The cryoprotective effects of these polymers can result from a limitation of total ice formation, a disruption of water hydrogen-bonding networks, and a well-timed vitri fication of the unfrozen space between ice crystals. Also provided are cryoprotective solutions comprising these cryoprotective polymers as well as methods of using these polymers and solutions to preserve biological materials.