Abstract: This invention provides methods for treating cellular blood components and other cells containing mitochondria to improve vital qualities of the cells by contacting the cells with a mitochondrial enhancer to the cells. Mitochondrial enhancers prevent damage to and rejuvenate mitochondria and cells containing mitochondria. Mitochondrial enhancers include alloxazines and related compounds, such as riboflavin. Cells are optionally treated with photoradiation to reduce pathogens with may be present, before, after, and/or during treatment with mitochondrial enhancer. Treating with mitochondrial enhancer enables utilization of higher photoradiation energies, which achieves better pathogen reduction. When platelets are treated with mitochondrial enhancer, treated platelets may be stored for longer times than untreated platelets before they are administered to patients.

Abstract: A platelet/additive solution comprising bicarbonate, citrate and glucose. Additionally, a platelet/additive and treatment solution comprising bicarbonate, citrate, glucose and a photosensitizer.

Abstract: A method is presented for inactivating non-enveloped viruses that may be contaminating a biological solution or suspension by mixing the solution or suspension with a photosensitizer to form a mixture, adjusting the operating conditions of the mixture so as to increase the permeability of the viruses to the photosensitizer, and then irradiating the adjusted mixture.

Abstract: Viral and bacterial contaminants present in biological solutions are inactivated by mixing one of a novel class of photosensitizer with said solution and irradiating the mixture. Quinoline and quinolone compounds are useful as photosensitizers in this method. With certain photosensitizers a blocking agent may also be employed.

Abstract: A method is provided for inactivating viral and/or bacterial contamination in blood cellular matter, such as erythrocytes and platelets, or protein fractions. The cells or protein fractions are mixed with chemical sensitizers, frozen or freeze-dried, and irradiated with, for example, UV, visible, gamma or X-ray radiation while in the solid state.

Abstract: Viral and bacterial contaminants present in biological solutions are inactivated by mixing one of a novel class of photosensitizer with said solution and irradiating the mixture.

Abstract: A process is provided for freezing, including freeze-drying of cells, cell-membranes or cell-like materials using a cryoprotectant medium which stabilizes the cells or membranes for freezing or freeze-drying and allows for freezing or freeze-drying to be performed at -60.degree. C. or higher.

Abstract: A process is provided for freezing, including freeze-drying of cells, cell-membranes or cell-like materials using a cryoprotectant medium which stabilizes the cells or membranes for freezing or freeze-drying and allows for freezing or freeze-drying to be performed at -60.degree. C. or higher.

Abstract: Viral, bacterial and parasitic contaminants in blood and cell culture containing compositions are inactivated by adding a photosensitizer and a blocking agent to the composition and irradiating the resulting mixture with electromagnetic radiation. Blocking agents reduce photolysis of the photosensitizer by mechanisms not involving the quenching of reactive oxygen species. The blocking agents reduce photolysis which occurs by ring opening. Preferred photosensitizers are quinoline or quinolone.

Abstract: Viral and bacterial contaminants present in biological solutions are inactivated by mixing one of a novel class of photosensitizer with said solution and irradiating the mixture.

Abstract: A method is provided for the lyophilization of mammalian sperm cells which can be stored and reconstituted to provide morphologically intact cells. The method is advantageous in that the sperm cells may be stored at ambient temperatures for extended periods of time and recovered morphologically intact with DNA-containing heads and intact flagella. The lyophilization medium comprises a carbohydrate and a polymer selected from PVP, HES, dextran and poloxamers or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A process is provided for freezing, including freeze-drying of cells, cell-membranes or cell-like materials using a cryoprotectant medium which stabilizes the cells or membranes for freezing or freeze-drying and allows for freezing or freeze-drying to be performed at -60.degree. C. or higher.

Abstract: Viral and bacterial contaminants present in biological solutions are inactivated by mixing one of a novel class of photosensitizer with said solution and irradiating the mixture. Quinoline and quinolone compounds are useful as photosensitizers in this method. With certain photosensitizers a blocking agent may also be employed.

Abstract: Viral and bacterial contaminants present in biological solutions are inactivated by mixing one of a novel class of photosensitizer with said solution and irradiating the mixture.

Abstract: A method is provided for qualitatively detecting in vitro the presence or absence of selected circulating antibody types using a diagnostic kit comprising reconstituted, after lyophilization or evaporative drying, red blood cell samples or other cell or cell-like material which have antigens which are recognized and bound by the selected antibody-type to be screened. Diagnostic kits containing the lyophilized blood samples according to the present invention have improved shelf life, and may comprise lyophilized samples packaged in a variety of forms convenient for manual single-test uses or automated multiple-test uses.

Abstract: A process and medium are disclosed for the lyophilization of cells which comprises the use of solutions including monosaccharide hexoses and pentoses, and/or biocompatible amphipathic polymers to permit the reconstitution of viable cells.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for preparing lyophilized and frozen cells as cytometry standards.

Abstract: A compound is provided for inactivating viral, bacterial or other contamination in cells, body fluids or fractions thereof. The compound comprises a psoralen with a single substituent that is either a quaternary phosphonium or ammonium moiety, and at least one substituent that is a halogen. The compound selectively binds to the contaminant, and upon activation by irradiation, damages the contaminant.

Abstract: A method for photoinactivating viral and/or bacterial contaminants in blood, blood products or cell cultures is presented. The blood, blood product or cell culture is mixed with an halogenated coumarin sensitizer and irradiated with UV light to inactivate the viral and/or bacterial contaminants.

Abstract: A process and medium are disclosed for the lyophilization of cells which comprises the use of solutions including monosaccharide hexoses and pentoses, and/or biocompatible amphipathic polymers to permit the reconstitution of viable cells.