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Development of robust and highly efficient bio-antifreezes for long-term biopreservation

Award Number: R16GM166494
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/01/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 03/31/2030

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Development of robust and highly efficient bio-antifreezes for long-term biopreservation - Project Abstract The identification of less toxic and more effective cryoprotectant agents (CPAs) is essential to enable the long- term storage of cells and other biological materials for human health. Produced in many cold-adapted organisms, antifreeze proteins (AFPs) have been recognized as natural antifreezes and cryoprotectants accounting for these organisms’ survival in a subzero temperature environment. AFPs exhibit great structural diversity, while are all characterized by their unique capabilities of non-colligative freezing-point depression and ice recrystallization inhibition (IRI). The difference between the melting and depressed freezing points of water in the presence of AFPs, referred to as thermal hysteresis (TH), is generally used as a measure of the antifreeze activity of AFPs. Insect AFPs can exhibit 10-100 times greater TH activity particularly in the presence of enhancers than fish AFPs and small molecules are the more practical choice due to their greater stability, lower cost, and natural abundance at high concentrations compared to proteins. Advanced have been made in identifying efficient bio-antifreeze systems (insect AFP and small molecule enhancer). Although many identified enhancers are known protein stabilizers, how the AFP’s stability of regulates its enhancing activity in the bio-antifreeze system and the overall effectiveness of the systems remains a critical gap. The proposed research will systematically determine the key component’s stability across the well-defined bio-antifreezes and pairing these analyses with the quantitative assessment of functional activity of the systems. The completion of the project will reveal the mechanistic relationship between the two key characteristics of the bio- antifreeze systems. Its success will provide foundational insights to guide the rational development of robust and highly efficient bio-antifreezes for long-term biopreservation. Undergraduate and master’s students will be fully integrated into this research under structured supervision. This SuRE project will thus significantly enhance and expand the research capacity at Cal State LA, a resource-limited institution, toward its sustainable research and education excellence.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $150,000 )
2026	2026	CAL STATE LA UNIVERSITY AUXILIARY SERVICES INC	5151 STATE UNIVERSITY DR	LOS ANGELES	CA	90032	LOS ANGELES	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	1	7/21/2026	NEW	$150,000
														Subtotal = $150,000

Grand Total All Awards = $150,000

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Development of robust and highly efficient bio-antifreezes for long-term biopreservation

Award Number: R16GM166494

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/01/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 03/31/2030

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