Elucidation of cryoprotective mechanisms of polyampholytes

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25870267
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Biomedical engineering/Biomaterial science and engineering; Polymer chemistry
• Research Institution: Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
• Principal Investigator: MATSUMURA Kazuaki 北陸先端科学技術大学院大学, マテリアルサイエンス研究科, 准教授 (00432328)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 凍結保存 / 両性電解質高分子 / バイオマテリアル / 再生医療

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We synthesized partially carboxylated poly-L-lysine and discovered its cryoprotective property. This interesting phenomenon is characteristic of polymers with high electron charge, especially polyampholytes. We proposed that polyampholytes exert their cytoprotective action by protecting cells against stresses such as drastic changes in soluble space size and osmotic pressure during freezing by using solid-state NMR. Synthetic cryoprotectants revealed that the mechanisms related with the membrane protection properties of these polyampholytes by using liposome as a model membrane. The cryoprotective mechanisms are different from those of current available cryoprotectants. The novel findings might lead to the development of new effective cryoprotectants.

Free Research Field

高分子化学