The Bioartificial Liver Group at UCL and Royal Free Hospital in London, are using the Planer 750 controlled rate freezer to develop their robust manufacturing and delivery options. The UCL Bioartificial Liver comprises large volumes, around 2 litres, of functionalised alginate encapsulated liver cells. Cryopreservation at large scale will be a critical step in the delivery of the viable cell therapy on demand, when liver failure patients would need support from the Bioartificial Liver - which can happen at any time.

Currently, the Bioartificial Liver team is investigating the best ways to optimise control of cooling profiles in large volumes (sterile units in 1 litre packages or larger) where heat transfer, and removal of latent heat of ice crystallisation have traditionally been problems in the past.

The pictures show researchers Joana, who qualified in Lisbon, working on the effects of freezing the alginate beads that encapsulate the cells and Kevin examining one of the related cryofiles. Work on cryopreservation of the liver mass is being supported by the Liver Group Charity and the Wellcome Trust

Further information
Details about the UCL Bioartificial Liver work can be found at http://www.ucl.ac.uk/livergroup/
Details about the 750 Freezer can be found at: http://planer.com/products/cryo-freezers/medium-crf/kryo-750.html
Details for Donations to the Liver Group Charity at: https://www.facebook.com/TheLiverGroupCharity/