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Not Available LifeCell has developed a patented system for the long-term preservation of platelets utilizing the biochemical stabilization of specific second messenger pathways critical to the platelet physiology. The stabilization formulation, ThromboSol(tm) modulates the endogenous platelet pathways that lead to cellular activation. This modulation renders the platelets capable of withstanding the rigors of cryopreservation in the absence of structural or biochemical damage. The platelet preservation system is logistically simple and yields high recovery of platelet number, morphology indices and in vitro and in viva functional activity. A feature of this cryopreservation system is the use of 2' DMSO. While this does represent a 3-fold reduction in the DMSO concentration as compared to the standard cryopreservation methods, it remains to be determined if this reduced amount of DMSO is directly transfusable of if so whether alternative agents more compatible with transfusion can be used. The goal of this platelet preservation program is to obtain a directly infusable formulation. Therefore, this proposal will identify alternative reagents which can mimic both the biochemical stabilization and cryoprotectant properties of DMSo. These reagents will be evaluated using in vitro assays, in conjunction with ThromboSol, to develop a platelet cryopreservation formula which' is directly transfusable and achieves high retention of platelet cell number and functional activity. BENEFITS: Suc