Cryosensor Technology

The interdisciplinary field of cryotechnology is one of the fastest growing areas for medical technology-oriented research and mechatronic developments. The safe, time-unlimited preservation of living biological samples under precisely specified environmental conditions in the cryogenic temperature range (<- 130 °C) is a central task for meeting the needs of current and future biobanks.

In this context, the nature of therapeutically and diagnostically relevant biological samples for biomedical research ranges from single cells to simple cell-matrix constructs to complex three-dimensional cell systems, such as organoids. In order to broaden the window of use of these resource-intensively produced cell systems with the greatest possible preservation of functionality and to enable logistics, the Cryosensor Technology working group is concerned not only with the scalable production of such model systems but also with the development of customized procedures for cryopreservation. Besides the development of cryomedia, this also includes the development of application-oriented and intelligent laboratory disposables in the form of sample substrates/containers (e. g. tubes, with integrated microelectronic assemblies and microsensors).

The Cryosensor Technology group also offers a diverse range of measurement services in the field of electronics and optics, especially at cryogenic temperatures. This includes functional tests for electronic devices and assemblies as well as laser scanning microscopy, optical Raman spectroscopy and (cryogenic) calorimetry for biomedicine and material sciences.

Focal points of the Cryosensor Technology group are:

• Research and development in the field of cell and tissue specific cryopreservation and thawing procedures
  • development of application-oriented, conventional cryoprocesses and ice-free vitrification methods
  •  development of xeno- and serum-free cryopreservation media
  •  establishment of relevant (stem) cell-based model systems validated by (molecular) biological quality analyses
  •  development of laboratory disposables (e. g. sample tubes, microtiter plates, bags) for cultivation, manipulation and live deposition of cells and tissues at cryogenic temperatures

• research and development in the field of (cryogenic) electronics (digital and analog assemblies, sensor technology, RFID, optoelectronics)
  • development of intelligent sensors for a complete monitoring of the cold chain, for in-situ quality control
  • development of modules for inductive energy transfer and low-power electronic systems
  • development of (low temperature) electronic measuring stations
  • development of wireless, energy-efficient data logger modules for extreme environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, acceleration, radiation)

• research and development in the field of biomedical optics
  • concepts for functional optical sensing and imaging
  • application and evaluation of molecular probes for (imaging) measurement of physical, chemical and biological environmental parameters
  • design and implementation of optical microscopic studies on cells, cell assemblies, tissues and non-biological samples (confocal, non-linear, transmission, fluorescence) for biology, pharmacy and material sciences
  • development and adaptation of imaging optical contrast methods for biomedicine and material sciences