Patent ID: 6127177
Filing Date: 2000-10-03
Classification: A01N,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for dry storing living nucleated mammalian cells having cell membranes, comprising:a. Applying a membrane toxin to reversibly porate the cell membranes of the nucleated cells;b. Loading an agent having bio-preservation properties to a predetermined intracellular concentration sufficient for preserving the cellular material, the predetermined intracellular concentration being less than or equal to about 1.0 M, the bio-preservation agent comprising a sugar;c. Drying the sugar loaded cells to a level sufficient to permit dry storage;d. Placing the dried cells in dry storage;e. Rehydrating the dried cells to a level sufficient for cell viability; andf. Reversing the cell membrane poration to an extent sufficient to permit survival and growth of the cells;wherein sugar is the only bio-protective agent employed.