Cryopreservation compositions and methods involving nanowarming
A cryopreservation composition generally includes a cryoprotective agent and a laser absorber that includes a metal. Rewarming a cryopreserved specimen that includes the cryopreservation composition includes subjecting the cryopreserved specimen to a laser pulse effective to heat the laser absorber sufficiently to thaw the cryopreserved biospecimen.
1. A method of warming a cryopreserved biospecimen, the method comprising:
obtaining a cryopreserved specimen comprising a cryoprotective composition, the cryoprotective composition comprising:
a cryoprotective agent; and
a laser absorber comprising a plasmonic material; and
subjecting the cryopreserved specimen to a laser pulse effective to heat the laser absorber sufficiently to rewarm the cryopreserved biospecimen; wherein the cryopreserved specimen comprises a cell and the laser absorber is distributed in all compartments of the cell.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the laser absorber comprises a gold nanorod.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the cell is an oocyte and the laser absorber is distributed in the chorion and the yolk.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the cryoprotective agent comprises polyethylene glycol.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the polyethylene glycol is present at a concentration of no more than 6 M.
6. The method of claim 4 wherein the polyethylene glycol is present at a concentration of no more than 3 M.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the laser pulse produces a warming rate of at least 500,000° C./min.