Scientists have created a groundbreaking method for storing biological materials, such as RNA and proteins, in a solid-state form. This new storage method takes the shape of a pill or tablet that dissolves in water for immediate use. It tackles current challenges in the storage and handling of products derived from living cells, which are crucial for healthcare and scientific research.

Biological materials like mRNA, enzymes, and antibodies are sensitive to changes in ambient conditions during storage, transport, and handling. If not stored and handled properly, these materials can degrade or lose their effectiveness. This limitation hinders access to these resources in resource-limited and underserved communities.

Researchers at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) have developed this new method to address these limitations. The innovative storage platform offers potential benefits for the scientific and medical communities by providing a tablet-like form for biological materials.

Traditional methods rely on freezing or refrigerating these materials as liquids, or freeze-drying them into powders. However, the absence of a solid-state form has made it challenging to reach locations and users in need. The new storage method allows biological materials to be packaged into tablets that can be stored at room temperature and easily dissolved in water when needed.

This new development simplifies the storage and use of biologics, making it as convenient as taking an Alka-Seltzer tablet. The ability to store biologics at room temperature and activate them on demand has potential applications in delivering therapeutics to remote areas without refrigeration access. It could also be used for diagnostic testing, from COVID-19 screening to detecting contaminants in wastewater.

Solid-state storage offers advantages in preserving the stability and activity of biological materials. Additionally, it ensures that the tablets disintegrate and dissolve quickly when added to water. The Cal Poly research team demonstrated that the storage platform successfully preserved the cell’s machinery responsible for genetic information decoding. They also showed that emerging biotechnology tools like CRISPR can be activated after being stored in a solid-state.

Further improvements to the platform, such as coatings, may enhance its durability in extreme environments. Coatings could help the solid-state storage withstand heat, humidity, and chemicals. This development could lead to oral biologic medication tablets, replacing injections for medications like insulin and Humira.

The potential impacts of this innovation extend beyond healthcare, into biomanufacturing, education, and research. It could revolutionize the transport of biologics globally and even enable on-demand production of life-saving therapies in space.

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