Cryopreservation is the process where biological samples such as cells, tissues or organs are preserved at very low temperatures. It prevents degradation by avoiding the damage that can be caused by chemical reactions that take place during higher temperatures. By achieving extremely low temperatures, usually below -130°C, biological samples may be stored for decades or longer.
Advantages of Cryopreservation
There are several crucial advantages that make cryopreservation an important technology:
Long-Term Storage: Cryopreservation allows biological samples to be stored for very long periods of time without significant damage or degradation. Cell cultures, whole organs and embryos can be preserved indefinitely as long as they remain frozen. This enables research to continue over decades and protects important biological materials.
Preserving Genetic Diversity: Many endangered animal and plant species have their seeds, cells or embryos Cryopreservation Equipment in biobanks to help conserve biodiversity. This safeguards genetics against extinction and allows restoration of species even if the last individuals perish in the wild.
Advanced Reproductive Technologies: Embryos and gametes from humans and livestock can be cryopreserved to facilitate techniques like in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer that have wide medical and agricultural applications. This has led to millions of births worldwide.
Biomedical Research & Transplants: Cell cultures and tissues frozen via cryopreservation are invaluable research tools. They have also enabled advances like cornea transplantation and promising new therapies involving stem cells.
Food Security: Critical seed stock for crops is stored frozen as a safeguard against threats like natural disasters, disease outbreaks and conflicts. This helps ensure stable food supplies globally.
Cryopreservation Equipment
Various specialized equipment is required to facilitate the cryopreservation process successfully:
Freezers: The most common type of freezer used is the mechanical freezer, which works on the vapor compression refrigeration cycle. Programmable freezing containers allow precise cooling rates. Liquid nitrogen freezers maintain ultra-low temperatures of -150°C or lower that are required for long-term storage.
Cooling Systems: Programmable rate freezers contain advanced temperature controllers and cooling systems to achieve optimum freezing and thawing profiles needed for different biological samples. Precise microprocessor controls are crucial.
Dewars: Large vacuum flask-style containers called Dewars are used to hold liquid nitrogen for storage. They provide effective thermal insulation and allow convenient access to samples immersed within.
Biological Sample Containers: Cryotubes, cryovials, straws and special cassettes made of plastics like polyvinyl chloride are adopted as sample holders. Materials are chosen based on parameters like durability at cryogenic temps and lack of toxicity.
Loading/Unloading Systems: Automated systems facilitate smooth transfer of numerous specimens in and out of liquid nitrogen storage tanks or freezers. They reduce the risk of human error and exposure to extreme cold.
Monitoring Devices: Sensors, alarms and temperature dataloggers provide continuous monitoring of conditions inside cryopreservation equipment. This ensures samples are maintained safely within required temperature ranges.
Ancillary Equipment: Equipment like controlled-rate freezers, warming baths and biological safety cabinets are required to support processes like controlled freezing, thawing and handling of specimens before and after cryopreservation.
Quality Control Equipment: Specialized tools like optical and electron microscopes allow checking samples for integrity pre- and post-cryopreservation. Biochemical assays help assess preservation success quantitatively.
Proper Maintenance and Calibration: Regular maintenance, performance qualification testing and calibration activities are essential to ensure cryopreservation equipment delivers reliable, reproducible results over many years of operation as per manufacturer and regulatory requirements.
Cryopreservation equipment encompasses an array of specialized mechanical, electrical and cryogenic technologies. Attention to detail and quality standards in their design, manufacturing and use is crucial considering the invaluable biological cargos routinely preserved through this critical application. Proper equipment helps advance scientific discovery and applications globally in areas like healthcare and agriculture.
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