Premium
Polymeric cryoproteetants in the preservation of biological ultrastructure
Author(s) -
Echlin Patrick,
Skaer Helen le B.,
Gardiner B. O. C.,
Franks Felix,
Asquith M. H.
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
journal of microscopy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.569
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1365-2818
pISSN - 0022-2720
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2818.1977.tb00035.x
Subject(s) - toxicity , ultrastructure , glycerol , chemistry , biophysics , ice crystals , biochemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , anatomy , organic chemistry , physics , optics
SUMMARY A study has been made of the physiological effects of three non‐penetrating polymeric cryoprotective agents on sixteen different plant and animal cells and tissues. The cryoproteetants, when used at concentrations at which they are effective in preventing ice‐crystal formation, generally have a lower toxicity to cells and tissue than similar concentrations of glycerol. The relatively low toxicity of these substances suggests that they would be more suitable as cryoproteetants for morphological and analytical studies than the commonly used low molecular weight compounds.