Cryopreservation extends the viability of cells by cooling them to extremely low temperatures and thus keeping them in a safe, biochemically inactive state. This process gives much-needed flexibility to researchers and those developing cell-based therapies. The latter involves collecting living cells from donors, transporting them to manufacturing sites for processing or screening, and then delivering […]
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When Pfizer initially released its COVID-19 mRNA vaccine, distributing it was a major challenge. Scientists thought that the vaccine had to be stored at -70°C, requiring dry ice or ultra-cold freezers. At scale, explains David Lewandowski, Azenta’s Strategic Partnerships Manager for Automated Storage, “Temperature matters. The warmer it is, the easier it is [to deliver […]
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Azenta Launches CryoArc™ Pico at SLAS2023 Many cell and gene therapies today rely on cryostorage with precise cold chain handling to ensure the viability and effectiveness of the cells that deliver life-saving treatments. But accessing these cell therapies can sometimes be a cumbersome process for labs and clinics that don’t have the space needed to […]
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Part 3 of our A Practical Guide to Planning a Cryogenic Storage Facility Series In our previous blog post, we uncovered key safety considerations and why monitoring your LN2 facility and storage units is imperative in ensuring the safety of your facility. In this part of our blog series, we lay out the key factors to […]
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Part 2 of our A Practical Guide to Planning a Cryogenic Storage Facility Series In our previous post, we covered several key considerations for selecting the appropriate space and equipment when designing your cryogenic storage facility. In this post, we will highlight how to ensure the safety of your facility. Did you know that a proper […]
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Part 1 of our A Practical Guide to Planning a Cryogenic Storage Facility Series Storing biological materials, especially living cells and tissues, can be a complicated process. Improper handling or storage conditions can damage cells, reducing viability and compromising their utility in downstream applications. Keeping specimens below -135°C, the glass transition temperature (Tg) of water, […]
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Safe and efficient storage of samples—whether chemical, biological, or clinical—is an integral, yet sometimes overlooked, part of laboratory work from drug discovery to clinical trials. The goal is straightforward: faithfully preserve materials for later use or analysis. The execution can be notably trickier, especially as collections grow and the tracking and movement of samples becomes […]
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Manufacturing and distribution of advanced therapies relies on stable low temperatures. Cellular products and other biological materials are often stored below -135°C, the glass transition temperature of water (Tg), where enzymatic activity is believed to cease. Routine handling in and out of storage can expose materials to temperatures above Tg, leading to degradation and reduced […]
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Good storage practices of biological materials is an essential component of any laboratory. Biological samples often degrade over time when stored at room temperature, but some samples may also lose integrity at low temperatures if subjected to multiple freeze-thaw cycles. The best storage temperature for a given biological sample or reagent often varies depending on […]
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To avoid deterioration, cryogenic samples are generally stored in liquid nitrogen or its vapor phase at temperatures around -170°C. During transport, some scientists place these samples on dry ice. However, research shows putting cryogenic samples on dry ice can warm them faster than exposure to room temperature. The culprits: convection and conduction. Liquid Nitrogen Avoids […]
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