Interaction of preservation methods and radiation sterilization in human skin processing, with particular insight on the impact of the final water content and collagen disruption. Part I: process validation, water activity and collagen changes in tissues cryopreserved or processed using 50, 85 or 98% glycerol solutions

Grants

Funding Acknowledgements

Firstly, our utmost gratitude and respect for the generosity of the tissue donors and their families. Furthermore, this work was made possible through the collaborative effort involving a number of Australian research hubs, institutions and individuals in response to an invitation of the International Atomic Energy Agency (Project: CRP E31006). Their scientific input and in-kind contributions are acknowledged: Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine-Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria (in particular to tissue donor coordinators, retrieval and processing teams; and for access to processing facility and equipment; Histopathology Dept., in particular David Cauchi for the preparation and staining of samples); Monash University-Monash Micro Imaging (in particular, Stephen Cody for the provision of access to bright field instrumentation, training and general imaging input); Monash Histology Platform (in particular Camilla Cohen and Jonathan Bensley, for advise on Picrosirius red staining); Melbourne University-Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Post Graduate Studies Program (in particular Honors students Eleanor Lazarus and Sunny L Prawira). Last but certainly not least, this work pays a tribute to our Professor, Glynn Phillips. His enthusiasm, dedication and generosity has inspired a generation of budding tissue bankers worldwide including myself, the main author; his moto "my bone is your bone''-i.e. sharing knowledge is essential-resonates in all of us. His unrelenting positive attitude has steered my path in the wonderful but challenging world of tissue donation, banking and transplantation. For the great moments and teachings, my sincere gratitude.