A Simple Temperature-Controlled Method for Preserving Viability in Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Retinal Organoids During Shipment.

Retinal organoids derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) hold significant promise as a tool for advancing our understanding of human retinal development and disease, as well as for the development of therapeutic strategies. However, research utilizing hiPSC-derived retinal organoid models has been constrained by logistical challenges. A notable issue is the increasing need for scientific collaboration, as experiments requiring coordination across multiple institutions often rely on the shipping of live tissues. Transporting retinal organoids over long distances without adequate climate control can lead to tissue degradation, which may interfere with histopathological analyses and impact the results of drug screening assays. Retinal organoids are most often shipped either without temperature regulation or with lithium-ion battery-powered ambient environment systems, which are heavily regulated by standard shipping companies, thus raising costs and introducing further logistical complications. In this study, we developed and evaluated a straightforward, cost-effective, and dependable temperature-controlled technology for shipping retinal organoids that can maintain adequate shipping temperature in colder months and decrease temperature fluctuations during shipment year-round, preserving organoid tissue structure and viability.