RCS 714 - Cryopreservation

2 Credit Hours
The goals of cryopreservation are to preserve viable gametes, embryos, tissues and even whole organs for future fertility options and to enable augmented pregnancy rates for IVF. In this course, the biological effects of cooling and freezing will be covered in detail. Additionally, the discussion will include the following: principles of cryopreservation using conventional, equilibrium cooling methods, vitrification as an alternative to conventional freeze-thawing, applications and adaptations of low temperature banking for different cell and tissue type as well as safeguards for quality assurance. Assigned asynchronous discussion groups between faculty and students are used to have students present their own experience in the lab or to review current literature to discuss recent changes in techniques.