Lee, Yedam Jung, Woo Hyuk Jeon, Kyounghwa Choi, Eui Bum Ryu, Taeyoung Lee, Chanseok Kim, Do-Nyun Ahn, Dong June 2026-01-15T10:00:13Z 2026-01-15T10:00:13Z 2026-01-12 2025-12 0167-7799 https://pubs.kist.re.kr/handle/201004/154045 Cell freezing is critical for the long-term preservation of biological materials, but is limited by the cytotoxicity and inefficacy of conventional cryoprotective agents, such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Here, we introduce DNA frameworks (DFs) as a nanoengineered programmable class of cryoprotectants designed to address these challenges. The DFs feature a programmable scaffolded structure offering large flexible wireframe contacts, cellular target ability, and biodegradability. Cholesterol-functionalized DFs outperformed conventional cryoprotectants in the recovery and maintenance of cellular functionality and morphology of frozen cells. Their cryoprotective mechanism enables targeted binding to the cell membrane, minimizing intracellular penetration or uptake, inhibits intracellular and extracellular ice growths, and promotes efficient post-thaw degradation to mitigate toxicity risks. By combining membrane-targeting specificity, cryoprotective efficacy, and biocompatibility, these DFs represent a transformative advance in cell cryopreservation. English Elsevier BV Membrane-targeted DNA frameworks with biodegradability recover cellular function and morphology from frozen cells Article 10.1016/j.tibtech.2025.07.028 1 Trends in Biotechnology, v.43, no.12, pp.3196 - 3216 Trends in Biotechnology 43 12 3196 3216 N scie scopus 001636107200001 2-s2.0-105014619655 Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology Article MOLECULAR-DYNAMICS RECRYSTALLIZATION MECHANISM PROTEIN OXIDE