Ice-binding proteins (IBPs) are interfacial biomolecules that adsorb to specific crystallographic planes of ice, changing ice growth, morphology, and recrystallisation behaviour. We engineer and formulate IBP systems for real-world thermal and cold-chain challenges.
They don’t “stop freezing” — they change how ice behaves at the interface.Identification and characterisation of ice-binding motifs across taxa (plants, microbes, fish, insects), informed by sequence/structure data and ice-growth assays.
Optimisation of binding-surface geometry, environmental stability (pH, salts, drying), and manufacturability — while preserving ice-plane affinity and functional activity.
Integration into coatings and formulations so ice-binding activity is retained where it matters: the ice–surface (or ice–solution) interface under real operating conditions.
IBP Ventures develops systems that act by adsorption to ice surfaces, where binding to specific planes perturbs step growth and recrystallisation kinetics. Depending on the IBP type and conditions, this produces measurable IRI and TH — properties widely studied in biology, food science, and cryobiology.
Many IBPs exhibit plane-selective binding (e.g., basal vs prism/pyramidal faces), consistent with a structured ice-binding surface that matches features of the ice lattice. Structure–function studies show that subtle surface geometry and residue patterning strongly affect binding activity.
IBPs are not bulk antifreeze agents: they generally do not prevent water from freezing under equilibrium conditions. Their value is interfacial control — binding to ice surfaces to modify growth and recrystallisation, which can reduce damage in frozen systems and improve texture stability.
The UK has a strong history in ice-structuring research, including University of York work on plant-derived antifreeze proteins and ice recrystallisation inhibition (e.g., Smallwood et al., carrot AFP) and related "ice structuring protein" terminology.
mRNA–lipid nanoparticles can be sensitive to freezing without appropriate cryoprotectants. Current formulation science relies heavily on sugars and controlled processes. Ice-interface control (including IRI-active materials) is a research direction for reducing freeze-stress in sensitive biologics — requiring careful validation for each formulation.
In reproductive medicine, ice damage is driven by morphology and recrystallisation. IBPs are investigated as additives to suppress recrystallisation and improve post-thaw recovery in sensitive biological materials under defined protocols.
We develop and evaluate ice-interface additives aimed at improving the robustness of temperature-sensitive biologics during freezing, thawing, and temperature excursions — with validation guided by product-specific quality attributes.
Performance depends on IBP type, concentration, and thermal history. Importantly, IRI does not necessarily correlate with thermal hysteresis, so target metrics must be defined per application (e.g., recrystallisation rate, ice morphology, adhesion force).
Our approach aligns with UK priorities around transport resilience, whole-life cost reduction, and environmentally responsible innovation, and is well suited to Innovate UK-style collaborative R&D and rail-sector pilot and deployment pathways.
We are engaging with investors and strategic partners aligned with infrastructure resilience, climate adaptation, and advanced materials.