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Protocols For Bioarchiving

A BioArchive System is a set of devices created by Thermogenesis Corp. that are designed to preserve tissue samples. It is used primarily for the storage of cord blood, which is blood extracted from umbilical cords and which contains stem cells. Stem cells are considered extremely valuable in modern medical research, as these cells can grow to become any type of cell, and can be used to treat a large number of diseases.

  1. How BioArchive Works

    • The BioArchive System uses liquid nitrogen to preserve cell samples. Freezing using liquid nitrogen allows the cells to be preserved and revived at a much later date. Having a consistent temperature and not allowing thawing and re-freezing of the samples is essential for their preservation. The BioArchive System has a number of safeguards for this, including robotic storage and retrieval to minimize human contact, which can cause damage to both a human operator and the sample, magnetic canisters to help with precision during robotic retrieval and a thermal tracking system, among other features. Thermogenesis Corp. claims a 94 percent viability rate for their system when used with the AXP AutoXpress Platform, which means that 94 percent of samples stored are successfully revived when thawed.

    Freezing Protocols

    • The freezing protocols and sample temperature for a BioArchive System can be set by the operator, which means that they may vary from one facility using the system to another. Many studies are conducted to test for optimum freezing protocols to increase sample viability, as the correct freezing process is essential for this task.

    Benefits of Automation

    • Since storage volumes and freezing rates must be consistent for best results, BioArchive automates much of the storage process. The AXP AutoXpress System, designed to be used with BioArchive, automatically separates stem cells from plasma and blood cells and dispenses them into 20ml volumes, which are then stored in a small, tagged canister for easy automatic retrieval at a later date. The freezing rate of the sample is controlled as well, with a mechanical arm slowly freezing the sample in liquid nitrogen over a 20-minute time span. A computer system accurately calculates the temperature inside of each of the stored units for more precise freezing.

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