Preserving biological specimens such as individual cells or biological tissues has proven to be crucial in regard to cell-based therapeutics. Unfortunately, current cryopreservation protocols remain suboptimal, reducing the potency of cellular products being developed for cell and gene therapy applications in modern medicine. To minimize cellular damage from ice recrystallization during freezing and thawing, cryopreservation techniques require the use of ice recrystallization inhibitors or cryoprotectants to help maintain cellular viability and metabolic functions post-thaw. Currently, a commonly used but relatively toxic cryoprotectant is dimethyl sulfoxide. Betaine is an organic molecule that has recently been claimed to function as a cryoprotectant. Here, we hypothesize that betaine has the ability to inhibit ice recrystallization and thus reduce cryoinjury as well as enhance post-thaw cell viability and functionality. The cryopreservation properties of commercially available betaine hydrochloride salt will be quantitatively assessed using an ice recrystallization inhibition assay and the compound’s cytotoxicity potential will be assessed using a Resazurin assay on HepG2 cell cultures. Given acceptable result profiles form these two techniques, a modified AnnexinV/Sytox ISHAGE cytometry gating strategy in appropriate adherent and non-adherent cells will be performed to measure post-thaw cell viability. If results demonstrate betaine to effectively inhibit ice recrystallization while increasing post-thaw recoveries and functionality, then this would indicate its potential for use as an ice recrystallization inhibitor instead of the relatively toxic cryoprotectant, dimethyl sulfoxide. Thus, insight obtained from this project could play a key role in implementing the use of cellular therapies in a clinical environment.