Patent ID: 6468782
Filing Date: 2002-10-22
Classification: A61K,C12N

Abstract:
A method of preserving prokaryotic cells comprising the steps of:a) increasing intracellular trehalose concentration in the prokaryotic cells to at least 30 mM; b) mixing the prokaryotic cells obtained in step a) with a drying solution comprising a stabilizing agent, wherein the stabilizing agent is a carbohydrate; and c) drying the product of step b) under conditions sufficient to produce a glass form of the stabilizing agent having less than about 5% (w/w) residual moisture; wherein the drying comprises evaporating the solution to obtain a syrup; exposing the syrup to a reduced external pressure and temperature sufficient to cause boiling of the syrup; and removing moisture so that residual moisture does not exceed about 5%; wherein the prokaryotic cells retain about 50% to 80% viability upon drying; and wherein the prokaryotic cells are Escherichia coli.