Abstract:
Biopreservation is the process of maintaining the integrity and functionality of cells held outside their native environment for extended storage times. Cryopreservation is the most popular approach, but recently lyopreservation has received attention as a possible alternative strategy. This approach is based on anhydrobiosis and could allow for the preservation of biological material at ambient temperatures. Here we will examine several model problems associated with this drying process. The first concerns the drying of a thin film by spinning. A thin film model will be developed for the drying sample and predictions about the dynamics of the drying front will be made. Second we will examine the drying of a vesicle. This problem will be examined using a level-set numerical method.