A METHOD TO STUDY INTRACELLULAR ICE NUCLEATION

The thermodynamics of intracellular ice nucleation are important in lo w-temperature biology for understanding and controlling the process of cell destruction by freezing. We have developed a new apparatus and t echnique for studying the physics of intracellular ice nucleation. Emp loying the principle of directional solidification in conjunction with light microscopy, we can generate information on the temperature at w hich ice nucleates intracellularly as a function of the thermal histor y the cells experience. The methodology is introduced, and results wit h primary prostatic cancer cells are described.