Determination of loading and unloading of cryoprotective agents in tissues and tissue-equivalents

In this study, numerical predictions of CPA loading and unloading in tissues were carried out based on, i) microscale membrane transport formulations and ii) macroscale diffusion of CPA using classical mass diffusion principles (Fick's Law) with a sink term for the CPA movement into the cells. The results will be used to develop a rational design for loading and unloading of CPAs in tissues and tissue engineered equivalents and to reduce the time of contact between potentially toxic CPAs and tissues prior to and after the freezing process.