B Medical Systems highlights the importance of cold chain storage solutions that preserve the integrity of cells.
Numerous beneficial cell samples and microbial varieties have been developed, engineered, and tested in recent years. These scientific discoveries and other technological breakthroughs have allowed communities around the globe to benefit from a wide range of biological products that can either protect them or make their lives easier. Probiotics, biochemical and enzymes are just a few examples.
The biological resources of microbial strains, cells from tissues, and cells are very valuable. Effective preservation methods are essential for their use in research as well as in various industries. These methods should not only preserve the cells’ high survival rate, but also ensure their genetic stability over a long period. Ultra-low temperature preservation can be very effective for many types of samples, but it can also have unintended effects if not done correctly. Special care and effort is required to preserve and maintain them.
It was vital to ensure that microorganisms are stored at the correct temperature during research and discovery. As more pharmaceutical products made from these organisms become thermosensitive, this is still true today. Ultra-Low Freezers (or ULTs) are widely used in research settings to safely store genetic material, cells, and other materials at temperatures as low -86C. These medical freezers, which are specialized in freezing medical materials, can significantly slow down the biochemical pathways within a cell, and preserve it for very extended periods of time.
Optimizing ultra-low freezing and long term cold chain storage is just as important as optimizing the cell culture process to obtain maximum yield and a consistent product. Suboptimal cold chain storage can result in decreased cellular functionality and lower cell yield. This requires attention to all aspects related to low temperatures, including the choice of cryoprotectants and freezing containers as well as the handling of the frozen material during storage or transportation. Each of these factors have an effect on the others to a greater degree than the others and should not be overlooked.
Storing cell samples in Ultra Low Freezers
Ultra-Low freezers are medical chill chain solutions that are commonly used to store samples for research and clinical purposes at temperatures below -86C. These freezer units can slow down the metabolic and other biochemical processes within cells, allowing them to maintain the integrity and quality of complex samples like genetic material.
The reliability of such cooling solutions will vary depending on the model and how they are used. To avoid thermal transients caused by unauthorised access to the ULT, the product must be tested to ensure that it can demonstrate ultra-low temperature uniformity at the set temperature. A dedicated, validated, temperature-monitored, Ultra-Low Freezer is often the best way to achieve the required level of reliability, safety, and control, although precautions such as cryoprotective agents and proper freezing procedures are necessary to minimise any risk of sample damage during these processes.
Protecting samples against the potentially harmful effects of freezing
Although ultra-low temperatures storage is very effective for bacteria and viruses, tissue cells, subcellular components, and other subcellular components, there may be unintended consequences. It is possible that ice may form within cells due to excessively rapid cooling and rising levels of toxic solutes. This can cause damage to the samples. The addition of a cryoprotective ingredient to the sample can reduce the risk of cellular damage from freezing that is caused by the cooling process. Cryoprotectants reduce the formation of ice at any temperature by increasing the concentration of solutes. However, cryoprotectants should be able penetrate target cells and have low toxicity to be considered acceptable for biological usage. This means that they should be thoroughly tested on cultures intended to be stored at ultralow temperatures. Once the safety of the cryoprotectants has been established, ultra-low freezers may be used for their reliable cold chain storage.
Modifying storage conditions to suit cell type
Ultra-low temperature storage conditions can affect individual chemical pathways, processes, reactions in different ways. Temperature-based suppression of biochemical and physical activity in different cell types is not always effective. Structural differences have been shown to explain differences in cell responses to cold storage conditions. Gram-negative bacteria has a thinner and less stable cell wall than Grampositive bacteria. This makes the Gram-negative bacteria more susceptible to cell membrane damage and dehydration. Gram-positive bacteria also have lower cell wall cholesterol than Gram-negative bacteria but have thicker cell walls and peptidoglycans, which makes them more resistant to external shocks and better suited for ultra-low temperature storage.
Some microorganisms may be more sensitive than others to temperature changes. This can lead to problems such as a malfunctioning or broken ULT, power outages, and frequent opening and closing of freezer doors. It is important that laboratories not only tailor preservation and maintenance techniques to specific microorganisms but also ensure that reliable medical ultra-low temperature cold chains storage solutions are available to maintain extreme temperatures even during adverse weather.
Reliable Ultra-Low Freezers For Modern Biomedical Research
B Medical Systems, s.r.lThe company is a global distributor and manufacturer of innovative medical refrigeration solutions. It is also a leader in the medical cold chain. With more than 40 years of industry experience, the company continues its innovation in the medical refrigeration market with its products. This ensures that samples, pharmaceuticals and compounds have the reliable cold storage environment that they need.
The company offers a wide variety of Ultra Low Freezers that vary in storage capacity. The basic model. The U201With a storage volume of 206 L, this compact ULT can store small amounts of samples and pharmaceuticals while the largest one can store large quantities. The U901With its 863 L of storage capacity it is ideal for universities and laboratories.
These ULTs have a major advantage: they can store different thermosensitive specimens at temperatures between -20C and -86C. This allows them to be used as normal medical freezers if necessary.
The advanced cooling system allows for a consistent and even temperature distribution. This, along with the insulated inner doors, improved gasket seals, and strong insulation, ensures a safe storage environment for optimal sample safety. These products are also quick to pull down and have excellent door opening recovery and holdover time. This helps ensure that the internal temperature is stable during door openings and other adverse events. B Medical Systems ULTs are also made with natural green refrigerants. This helps to reduce their environmental impact and improves their cooling efficiency. This reduces the huge energy consumption that is usually associated with these types products. The ULT models of the company are Class II(a),/Class II medical devices (EU MDR and US FDA), and conform to US SNAP and EU F-Gas regulations. Certain models also have Energy Star certification.
These models are well-known for their safety, reliability, quality, and energy efficiency. B Medical Systems products can be used worldwide for advanced research in many fields, including microbiology and gene therapy.
This article is from issue 21Health Europa Quarterly.ClickHereGet your free subscription now.
Contributor Details
Related Articles
