– Vitrification is a method of cryopreservation that solidifies a liquid into a non crystalline or amorphous solid known as a glass. It prevents ice crystal formation and is a very fast process: -23,000°C/min.
Vitrification differs from freezing in Cryopreservation in several ways:
(1) Freezing involves the formation of ice crystals, which can cause mechanical injury to the cells and tissues during the freezing and thawing process.
Vitrification avoids this problem by using high concentrations of cryoprotective agents (CPAs) that lower the freezing point of water and reduce the amount of ice formed.
(2) Freezing requires finding the optimal cooling and warming rates for each type of biological material, which can vary depending on the size and complexity of the material, as well as the type and concentration of CPAs used.
Vitrification simplifies this by enabling rapid and continuous cooling and warming with minimal space and energy requirements.
(3) Freezing may result in solution effects injury, which is the damage caused by the high solute concentration and low water activity in the extracellular space during freezing.
Vitrification may also cause solution effects injury, but it can be reduced by using permeating CPAs that can enter the cells and balance the osmotic pressure.
(4) Freezing may face technical challenges such as devitrification and recrystallization, which are the formation of ice crystals from the glassy state during warming or storage.
Vitrification can avoid these problems by using appropriate CPAs and warming methods that prevent ice nucleation.
