The problem being addressed
The current trend is to convert all relevant human activities (industry, economy, transport, farming) into eco-friendly/sustainable processes. Bio-banks (cells, tissues) are normally kept frozen in liquid nitrogen (LN). Though effective, LN storage is expensive, and its production has a heavy carbon footprint. The objective of Drynet is to explore the possibility to change the current bio-banking paradigm into a low cost, and zero environmental impact process.
Importance for the society
Social benefits will be directly conveyed by Drynet through low-cost bio-banking services. The benefits for this endeavour span for all activities were biobanking is required; biomedicine, human infertility treatment and biobanking for biodiversity preservation. Lastly, low cost biobanking would be of societal benefit from the climate-change mitigation action resulting from CO2 reduction.
The general objective of Drynet is to verify the feasibility of dry storage for cells and gametes, through three main Objectives (all accomplished):
I. To establish an international/multidisciplinary research team to explore reversible drying in cells/gametes
II. To gather preliminary data set on the induction of reversible drying of mammalian cells
III. To prepare a new class of ER and ESR with unique expertise in alternative biobanking
Objective I. To establish a new international/multidisciplinary team to explore reversible drying induction in cells/germplasm. Drynet has brought together an intercontinental Team of Scientists with complementary expertise. At the end on the project, we can state that the aim was fulfilled. A total of 54 senior and young scientists have participated to Drynet, advancing the knowledge of the specific field of dehydration, thanks to 140 secondments.
Objective II. To gather preliminary data sets on the induction of reversible drying of mammalian cells. New models for controlled de-hydration of cells, new genes and related gene products for reversible drying have been discovered on our model (midge and tardigrades). The scientific activities focused on sperm cells, as germ plasm, and on fibroblast as somatic cells, and the output in terms of scientific progress are beyond the expectations.
Objective III. To prepare a new class of ER and ESR with unique expertise in alternative biobanking methods. The project has allowed the interaction between experts on: molecular biophysics, chemical engineering, cell, insect, and molecular biology, embryology, andrology, cryobiology, engineering and biobanking. Moreover, the interaction between academy and SMEs has been an added value for the ESR seconded. At the end of the project, we can reasonably state that a multidisciplinary research team, made mostly of ESR, has been generated.
Conclusion of the action
It can be stated that Drynet has converted the few data on reversible drying available in a concerted action, advancing beyond the state of the art available at the time of the proposal drafting. The project has represented a formidable opportunity for the ESR that have benefited from the knowledge sharing through the action, enforcing their scientific and miscellanea skills. Finally, the cross contamination between the participating institutions with radically different competences resulted in a cross fertilization, with positive outcomes on their profile.
