Product Intelligence Cryoware: Essential Tools for Cryopreservation by Lina Genovesi
ryoware, as cryogenic lab consumables are commonly known, includes storage vials, vial cap inserts, vial canes and associated labels, tags and markers, boxes, racks and coolers, and play an important role in the cryopreservation of cell cultures.
C Depending on the area of application, many cryoware options are available.
Cryopreservation Cryopreservation is the process of freezing cell cultures and storing them at extremely low temperatures. During that process, cultured cells are mixed with a cryo-protective solution and added to labeled storage vials, which are then cooled to freezing at a set rate.
Cooling rate is important for the dehydration of cells and is controlled by holding the storage vials in racks in a liquid nitrogen freezer. Insulated cardboard or polystyrene foam boxes can also function as freezing chambers.
Following cooling, the vials are transferred to a liquid nitrogen freezer where they can be stored in the liquid nitrogen vapor phase at tempera- tures between –140 °C and –180 °C, or submerged in the liquid nitrogen at a temperature below –196 °C.
On a need basis, the cell culture mixture is thawed and processed to remove the cells.
Tips for selecting cryoware
Application The first factor is the suitability of the cryoware for a particular application and there are many available options.
Thermo Scientific Nalgene general long-term storage cryogenic tubes are for research and general lab storage.
For biobanking tissue samples, WHEATON provides the CryoELITE tissue vials that meet USP Class VI classification.
Vials Cryogenic vials are available with conical, round or square bottoms and with a cap, which may fit an internally threaded or externally threaded vial.
Corning Incorporated offers conical and round bottom external threaded vials with plug seal caps, external threaded vials with silicone washers and internal threaded vials with silicone washers. The external threaded vials have a self-standing base and a self-locking skirt. The vials are manufac- tured of polypropylene and withstand temperatures as low as –196 °C.
E-Z Microtubes from WHEATON Science Products have a twist-lock feature for automated capping and decapping.
Caps Most caps accept color-coded inserts, which simplify vial identification. Plug-type caps may not accept color-coded inserts.
The Corning Incorporated external threaded vials with silicone washers and internal threaded vials with silicone washers accept color-coded inserts. The external threaded vials with plug seal caps do not accept color-coded inserts.
Argos Technologies, Inc. and Corning Incorporated offer color-coded cap inserts.
Canes Aluminum canes hold vials for freezer storage or immersion in liquid ni- trogen. Cane sleeves of clear plastic PVC protect vials in aluminum canes during handling and storage.
Heathrow Scientific LLC supplies aluminum canes and PVC cane sleeves.
Labels, tags and markers Labels, tags and markers allow sample identification and traceability.
Most vials have printed marking spots or areas for easy labeling with special markers. These markers usually withstand fading under storage conditions.
For vials without marking spots, labels with special adhesive can be used. GA International Inc. provides thermal transfer, laser and inkjet labels.
Printed bar codes are also available as labels on vials such as the Thermo Scientific Nalgene and Nunc and the E-Z Microtubes with permanent 2D Data Matrix bar codes from WHEATON Science Products.
Racks can also be labeled with printed bar codes. Thermo Scientific offers the Nunc Barcoded Loose Rack for Cryobank vials and Bank-It systems with laser-etched 2-D bar codes.
Bar codes can be scanned for vial identification and traceability. The SingleScan and PluraScan 2D bar code readers are available from WHEATON Science Products.
Boxes Storage boxes come in many options and sizes based on the type of freezer and the available freezer space.
AMERICAN LABORATORY • 34 • MARCH 2015
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