Research Department Cryo-Save Group 

Global position in stem cell research

Scientific Director Cryo-Save Group Professor Colin McGuckin Working in stem cells for over 20 years, Professor McGuckin is an opinion leader who has been called upon by governments and hospitals around the world, including the US Senate, the United Nations (Geneva) and the Parliaments of France, UK, Austria and Germany. Colin McGuckin is also President of the Novus Sanguis Consortium, which was launched in 2008 under the patronage of the President of the European Parliament.

Vision & mission:

The research is focused on the cryopreservation of stem cells and stem cell technology to improve the clinical outcome of stored cellular products. Therefore the domains of research are cryobiology, focused on cord blood (hematopoetic stem cels) and different sources of mesenchymal stem cells. On top of this attention is given to expansion and culturing technology of different stem cells including the use of bioreactors.
Support is given to clinical studies on stem cell transplantations and clinical applications carried out at different academic centers.

Specific topics of research:

• Develop optimal methods for stem cell cryopreservation with minimal cytotoxicity, selection of cryoprotectants, osmolality and reduction of tissue damage. 
• Establish surface based freezing methods of stem cells on functional surfaces, scaffold or feeder layers.
• To define conditions for freezing cells in two or multidimensional aggregates.
• Comparative approach to evaluate cell sources (of different tissue etc.) in order to identify and validate the best source for specific and safe clinical applications.
• Means are developed for controlling cell proliferation and differentiation, and optimising cell survival and function after transplantation.
• Clinical application: testing in appropriate in vivo disease models, addressing regulatory requirements and, where possible, clinical trials are supported. 
• Bioreactor developments and upscaling of cell production, influence of mechanical stress factors.

                                                                                               Mesenchymal stem cells

Collaborations:

• University of Köln & University of Hasselt Belgium. Mesenchymal Stem Cell Project: Stem Cell Characterisation and differentiation.
• European Framework CRYSTAL Project: Cryo-preservation of Stem Cells for Human Therapeutic Application (www.crystal-eu.org).
• Founding member of the ITERA group (International Tissue Enginering Research Association), an independent consortium of international researchers in stem cell technology and cellular therapies. (see also www.itera-ls.org)
• University Hospital Antwerp Dept. Gastro-enterology: NASH (Non Alcoholic Steato Hepatitis) as part of the EU FP6 HEPADIP project (Hepatology).
• Blood Transfusion Center (Etablissement Française Sanguine), France: Hematopoetic stem cell expansion of
• Fraunhofer Institute: Cryopreservation and storage technology and engineering.

Future developments:

Some areas of research excellence include adult stem cell cryopreservation, cell replacement therapy for diabetes, DMSO replacement etc. 
The Cryo-Save Group gives considerable emphasis on encouraging investments and collaborations in different research fields.
There is however an increasing focus on new markets as Asia (India), USA & South America.

Cryo-Save R&D department is developing new products towards mesenchymal stem cell banking to allow adults using their own stem cells for potential therapies in the future.