Affiliations: STEM Research Leadership
Project Leader: Crysthal Alvarez
calvarez@tamu.edu
Mechanical Engineering
Faculty Mentor: Guillermo Aguilar, Ph.D.
Vitrification is a rapid approach to cryopreserve biological samples without ice formation, which induces mechanical injury to the specimen. However, developing vitrification technologies for biological systems in the μL – L scale is challenging due to non-uniform cooling/warming and cryoprotectant (CPA) toxicity. Additionally, there are current limitations of monitoring in real-time CPA distribution, temperature, and phase changes to develop cryopreservation protocols. Therefore, real-time monitoring of these parameters is a necessity to make advancements in the field of cryopreservation. This project entails developing and utilizing optical tools, digital holography interferometry (DHI) and Raman spectroscopy, to perform in-situ thermal analysis of water, CPAs, and biological systems to improve vitrification protocols which can lead to enhanced specimen viability post preservation. Additionally, this project includes developing laser processed cryomeshsystems for these vitrification applications. Up to 4 positions are available