Name: Natural Deep Eutectic Systems for Skin Tissue Cryopreservation
Team: Filipe Oliveira (Pl, NOVA FCT), Duarte Barral (co-PI, NMS), Ana Rita Duarte (NOVA FCT), Inês Fonseca (NMS), Marta Cerejo (NMS) e Eva Martins (NOVA FCT/NMS)
Starting date: 02/06/2025
Duration: 12 months (end date on 01/06/2026)
Scientific Areas: Biotecnology
This project proposes a new paradigm in the cryopreservation of biological materials, suggesting the use of cryoprotective agents based on natural compounds for the preservation of reconstructed human epidermis. This is particularly innovative since currently long-term preservation of biological material requires extremely low temperatures combined with highly toxic cryoprotectants.
The work combines two emerging and highly successful technologies developed at NOVA – Eutectic Systems and NOVA Skin® – with an approach that may allow the use of low-toxicity cryoprotectants and enable preservation at milder temperatures, eliminating the need for extreme cold. If successful, this alternative could significantly reduce the ecological footprint and technical complexity associated with cryopreservation processes, representing a major step forward in regenerative medicine.