Provided herein are peptide-based hydrogels, or neutral multidomain peptide hydrogel (NMDP), as well as uses thereof. The uses include encapsulating cells to induce quiescence for long-term storage and administering to a subject to induce collagen deposition and macrophage infiltration. The disclosed hydrogel is useful for the preservation of stem cells, including maintaining their quiescence and differentiation potential.

Provided are a cryopreservation liquid for bovine reproductive cells such as bovine sperms and a cryopreservation method thereof. Adopted is a cryopreservation liquid comprising: 0.3 to 0.9 w/w % of an amphoteric polyelectrolyte (an antifreeze polyamino acid), which is -poly-L-lysine wherein 50 to 99 mol % of amino groups of the -poly-L-lysine are blocked as carboxylated by having been reacted with the succinic anhydride; and glycerol, as dissolved in a physiological solution.

Provided are a cryopreservation liquid for bovine reproductive cells such as bovine sperms and a cryopreservation method thereof. Adopted is a cryopreservation liquid comprising: 0.3 to 0.9 w/w % of an amphoteric polyelectrolyte (an antifreeze polyamino acid), which is -poly-L-lysine wherein 50 to 99 mol % of amino groups of the -poly-L-lysine are blocked as carboxylated by having been reacted with the succinic anhydride; and glycerol, as dissolved in a physiological solution.

A cryoprotective composition configured to be applied during cryotreatment of a patient includes at least one biodegradable and/or bioerodible fluid agent and at least one non-toxic cryoprotectant agent. A therapeutically effective amount of the cryoprotective composition deposited in a body space of the patient in proximity to the cryotreatment remains within at least a portion of the body space for a duration of the cryotreatment. At least a portion of a body tissue proximate to the body space is viable after the cryotreatment. A method of protecting a surgical site during prostate cryosurgery is also provided. The method includes injecting a therapeutically effective amount of the cryoprotective composition into the body space, wherein the body space is a periprostatic space of a patient.

A cryoprotective composition configured to be applied during cryotreatment of a patient includes at least one biodegradable and/or bioerodible fluid agent and at least one non-toxic cryoprotectant agent. A therapeutically effective amount of the cryoprotective composition deposited in a body space of the patient in proximity to the cryotreatment remains within at least a portion of the body space for a duration of the cryotreatment. At least a portion of a body tissue proximate to the body space is viable after the cryotreatment. A method of protecting a surgical site during prostate cryosurgery is also provided. The method includes injecting a therapeutically effective amount of the cryoprotective composition into the body space, wherein the body space is a periprostatic space of a patient.

Compounds, compositions and methods for improving the viability and/or function of cells or for the in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo protection of cells, tissue, graft or organs from various damages are described. The reagents and composition are based on activation of the heat shock response and/or the antioxidant response and include for example, HSP90 co-factor inhibitor such as Celastrol or Celastrol analogs used alone or in combination with an adjunct agent (e.g., a NRF-2 activator, antioxidant, etc.). Therapeutic enhancement may also include increase in paracrine effector production and signaling. Methods for improving the resistance of cells, tissue, grafts or organs to damages or stress, such as hypoxic or oxidative stress-induced cell death, and/or for improving the viability and retention of transplanted or transfused cells are also described. Therapeutic treatment or prevention of ischemic injury (e.g. myocardial infarct, ischemia/reperfusion injury) and related stressors (hypoxia, oxidative stress, inflammation, sepsis/shock, etc) are also provided.

Compounds, compositions and methods for improving the viability and/or function of cells or for the in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo protection of cells, tissue, graft or organs from various damages are described. The reagents and composition are based on activation of the heat shock response and/or the antioxidant response and include for example, HSP90 co-factor inhibitor such as Celastrol or Celastrol analogs used alone or in combination with an adjunct agent (e.g., a NRF-2 activator, antioxidant, etc.). Therapeutic enhancement may also include increase in paracrine effector production and signaling. Methods for improving the resistance of cells, tissue, grafts or organs to damages or stress, such as hypoxic or oxidative stress-induced cell death, and/or for improving the viability and retention of transplanted or transfused cells are also described. Therapeutic treatment or prevention of ischemic injury (e.g. myocardial infarct, ischemia/reperfusion injury) and related stressors (hypoxia, oxidative stress, inflammation, sepsis/shock, etc) are also provided.

Disclosed is a method for preserving high molecular weight DNA in biological tissue, comprising contacting for a period of time at a temperature the biological tissue with an aqueous solution comprising a compound having the structure: ##STR00001##

Disclosed is a method for preserving high molecular weight DNA in biological tissue, comprising contacting for a period of time at a temperature the biological tissue with an aqueous solution comprising a compound having the structure: ##STR00001##

The present invention relates to a composition for cryopreservation, comprising: a nucleic acid structure which comprises a scaffold nucleic acid folded at predetermined positions to form multiple strands, and a plurality of staple nucleic acids wherein at least a portion of a sequence thereof comprises a complementary sequence to that of the scaffold nucleic acid, which are bound to at least one of the strands of the scaffold nucleic acid to form a double strand; linkers coupled to at least one of single strands in the nucleic acid structure; and an anti-freezing peptide coupled to at least one of the linkers, so as to exhibit excellent freeze-protection effects, which in turn increase cell viability during cryopreservation of cells and tissues, while retaining original texture of food even when used for freezing the food.