Protection of cells and tissues
The ROKEPIE® additive protects vital cell functions while stored or transported at 2-8°C, even for multiple days.
The ROKEPIE® additive contains an effective compound that brings cells into a hibernation-like phase. During hibernation, metabolism shifts towards a minimal need of oxygen and nutrition (vita minima), making storage of cells easier and more robust. This hibernation-like phase will protect cells against difficult circumstances: Bioregulation will pause the cell growth and prevent cell damage and viability loss caused by oxidative stress.
- ROKEPIE® is non-toxic: Your cells can be rewarmed up to 37°C safely without the need to remove ROKEPIE®.
- ROKEPIE® does not affect cell proliferation: Cell growth after preservation is immediately supported.
- Pausing your cells will allow you to extend the passage duration of valuable primary cells, which in turn will lead to a longer use of primary cells.
Preservation of cells and tissues
Hypothermic preservation 3.0 – no need for medium changes, just Add & Use ROKEPIE®.
In terms of cell biopreservation, two different approaches are used: Cryogenic preservation in sub-zero temperatures and hypothermic preservation in the range of 1-35 °C. They are both used in order to store, transport of ship cells for a specific period of time. Choosing the right preservation method depends on a lot of variables, with the need for short- or long term storage as one of the most important questions. If long-term preservation is not requested, avoiding cryopreservation will bring many benefits. A good alternative can be found in hypothermic preservation – the storage of cells in cold conditions (2-8°C).
Short-term preservation The benefits of using a hypothermic method over cryogenic storage for short-term preservation are evident. Being able to omit out the use of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), which is toxic to cells at ambient temperatures, decreases the risk of cell loss, decreased cell differentiation or adverse reactions from patients. The protocols for hypothermic preservation are less complicated, thus saving costs and labor. Even so, most current hypothermic preservation solutions still require a medium change before and after cool storage. Their process protocols still include these extra steps, possibly leading to unwanted cell stress or even cell damage.
What makes ROKEPIE® unique compared to other hypothermic preservation solutions? The ROKEPIE® additive is a perfect alternative for cryopreservation in short-term storage situations, being an hypothermic preservation method. But it is unique with regard to its competitors. The unique feature of ROKEPIE® is that it is a non-toxic additive. This means that you can simply add it before cooling and storing, there is no need to remove the medium. And there is also no need to remove medium before rewarming. It is non-toxic when it is brought to 37°C and ROKEPIE® supports cell proliferation after rewarming!
- Easy to use thanks to the Add & Use principle – less complicated protocols, thus time saving
- It’s an additive – no need for medium change
- It’s non-toxic – can be rewarmed up to 37°C
- It’s fully synthetic – no animal component
- It even supports cell growth after rewarming – non-toxic
Cell pausing for longer storage time
The Hibernation Principle works perfectly for pausing cells – storage was never this easy.
A living, working model of hypothermic storage of mammalian cells exists in the form of hibernators. Research in the field of hibernation has led to the development of several new chemical entities which serve as bioregulators and help cells to enter a hibernation-like phase. The pausing of these cells can be used for short-term storage need during production or development activities.
- Store cells easy and use them later without effort.
- Ability to maintain different working schedules with flexibility – you decide your work schedule.
- You can store larger amounts of cells (surface area) than in cryovials.
- Avoid breakage of vessels at -180°C (LN2).
- Avoid use of DMSO during storage.
- Spread process workload over several days.
- Pause large batches of cells during a production process, e.g.:
- Increase time window for trypsinization of large amount of cells
- Inoculate one single batch of cells but harvest on seperate day
Lengthen transportation times
Transportation of cells at 2-8°C is a new possibility, enabled by adding ROKEPIE-FD01® to your cells.
But not only cells, but other specific biological material like blood. After collecting these biological materials, ROKEPIE-FD01® can be added and the material can be transported at 2-8°C. Once arrived at its destination, follow-up isolation of specific cells from this biological material can be performed.
Transportation at low temperatures is the new middle ground in transportation of live cell cultures, avoiding the use of dry ice but still diminishing the risk of bacterial contamination. Additionally, transportation at 2-8°C is not limited to the size of a small ampoule or vial: in contrast to cryostorage, many square or cubic centimeters of flasks can be transported. This allows for time management by using any amount of cells at any place with limited resources.
This allows for time management by using any amount of cells at any place with limited resources. Use of toxic cryoprotectants like DMSO is also avoided, together with the risk of broken frozen transport material. (Note: Test whether your cell line of choice is suitable for cold-storage). The cold-storage chain is readily available at a moderate cost. This in contrast to the cost of transport at 37°C, -80°C or -196°C.
- Transportation at 4°C is readily available for a modest price.
- Large amounts of cells can be transported at once, saving time and labor.
- Avoid the use of cryoprotectants like DMSO, so no toxicity or risk of decreased viability percentages.
- Diminish the risk of leakage and breaking of frozen package material.
- Biological material can be gathered at one central location for further processing.