Ice, Ice, Baby – An Intro to Cryopreservation

Video

Published: March 17, 2022

Molly Campbell

Everything you need to know about cryopreservation

What is cryopreservation? What techniques are there and how do we do it? When did we first cryopreserve gametes, and has it changed over time, and what are some new directions for cryopreservation? Dr. Jarrod McKenna, who holds a graduate diploma and PhD in reproductive sciences from Monash University, explains all in this week's episode of Teach Me in 10.

Dr. McKenna's PhD involved working with Egyptian spiny mice, the world’s only known menstruating rodent, to define assisted reproductive techniques (such as cryopreservation), while also describing fundamental characteristics of spiny mouse pregnancy and embryo implantation.

To learn more about cryopreservation, Dr. McKenna recommends the following resources:

Terminology associated with vitrification and other cryopreservation procedures for oocytes and embryos

Controlled ice nucleation in cryopreservation--a review

Successful cryopreservation of coral larvae using vitrification and laser warming

Healthy offspring from freeze-dried mouse spermatozoa held on the International Space Station for 9 months

For more Teach Me in 10 videos, be sure to visit our LabTube channel.

Meet the Author

Molly Campbell

Senior Science Writer

Molly Campbell is a senior science writer at Technology Networks. She holds a first-class honors degree in neuroscience. In 2021 Molly was shortlisted for the Women in Journalism Georgina Henry Award.