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Standardized Sample Thawing: The Last Mile in the Cryopreservation Process

SelectScience
19 Nov 2014
Sonia Nicholas
Managing Editor and Clinical Lead

Editorial article

As scientists, we are rigorous in our approach to sample preparation and freezing. Yet despite this, the preparation process often falls down at the final hurdle, when we come to thaw our samples. Dirty water baths, samples floating when the water level is too high, uncontrolled water temperature and dubious control of thawing time can all affect sample performance or lead to specimen contamination.

BioCision recently announced the availability of the ThawSTAR™ automated sample thawing system, which utilizes a breakthrough technology to address the 'last mile' in the cryopreservation process.

Sonia Nicholas, SelectScience’s Clinical Diagnostics Editor, spoke to Eric Kunkel, Senior VP of R&D at BioCision.

SN: What thawing methods currently exist for use in the cell cryopreservation workflow and what are the problems associated with these methods?
EK: Current methods of thawing include swirling samples in communal water baths, using dry bead baths or heat blocks, or warming samples between the hands. These methods are not standardized and have the potential to jeopardize the integrity and safety of the sample. In addition, in GMP and clinical settings, water baths are not a viable solution, leaving virtually no options for reliable and well-controlled thawing.

SN: How does ThawSTAR address these issues?
EK: The ThawSTAR system is a fully solid state system, so it is compatible with research, manufacturing and clinical settings. Heat is applied uniformly and consistently for a rapid thaw. ThawSTAR uses unique adaptive sensing technology to monitor vial temperature, phase change initiation and thaw completion. This hands-free operation eliminates the guesswork and subjectivity of determining the thawing end point. The result is highly reproducible thawing user-to-user, sample-to-sample, and day-to-day.

SN: What kind of samples can ThawSTAR be used for?
EK: The system has been designed initially for the most common research cryovial size, the 1.8 ml vial, containing volumes between 0.5 and 1.5 ml. ThawSTAR can thaw samples directly from LN2 storage or -80°C freezers. It is ideal for thawing cells or other frozen biospecimens.

SN: How long does it take to thaw a sample?
EK: To operate the ThawSTAR, you simply insert one frozen cryogenic vial and wait approximately 2-3 minutes. Light patterns indicate the state of the thaw. When thaw cycle is complete, the instrument chimes and the vial is raised for easy removal for downstream processing.

SN: Can customers purchase the system from any country?
EK: The product is available for global distribution.

Image Caption: Eric J. Kunkel, PhD, Senior Vice President, Research and Development, Biocision.

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Baths and CirculatorsLaboratory baths and circulators are capable of refrigerating and heating to meet the demands of any temperature controlled application.Cell Lines Stem Cells and Primary CellsPrimary cell cultures, established cell lines and stem cells are vital for <i>in vitro</i> and <i>ex vivo</i> experimentation. High-quality cells, optimized for your applications, alongside optimized cell substrates, growth medium and supplements, are critical for experimental success. Explore a range of cells suitable for your applications, including isogenic cell lines, competent cells, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cell lines, fungal/bacterial/mammalian cell lines, stem cells and cancer cell lines. Find the best cells for your research in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Refrigerators Freezers and CryogenicsRefrigerators, Freezers & Cryogenics can be used for preservation or experimental purposes. Types of freezers include deep freeze, -80C°C, ultra-low temperature, explosion proof, cryogenic and controlled rate freezers. Freezing is also used in freeze-drying equipment for dehydration processes. Feature to consider in freezers include temperature control and recorders, failure alarms and self-closing mechanisms.IncubatorsLaboratory incubators are used to provide a stable environment to cultivate and store samples in, giving you optimal control of temperature, humidity, oxygen and CO<sub>2</sub> levels. Incubators are necessary equipment for cell culture and microbial research. Control temperature with heated or refrigerated incubators, or the levels of CO<sub>2</sub> and oxygen with CO<sub>2</sub> incubators. Using environmental chambers, create a humid climate for testing samples. Find the best incubators in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Blood TransfusionBlood Transfusion involves giving donor blood to a recipient patient. Screening is essential to avoid transfusion reactions. Blood banks use immunohematological techniques to determine rh and ABO blood group, and screen for antibodies using specific antisera. Blood Banks use Direct Coombs Tests (DCT) and Indirect Coombs Tests (IAT) to detect hemolysis and Haemolytic Disease of the Newborn (HDN).HematologyIn Haematology / Hematology, complete blood cell counts (or full blood counts) are obtained using automated blood count analyzers to enumerate blood cell types.  Hematology also encompasses haemostasis and coagulation, thrombophilia and hemophilia, plasma viscosity and ESR analysis, hemoglobinopathies, cell morphology and haematinic measurement.ImmunologyImmunological techniques measure and characterize immune responses. Immunology kits and analysis systems often use techniques such as ELISA, radioimmunoassay (RIA) and immunodiffusion assays, Immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry. Immunologists use equipment such as flow Cytometers, plate readers, plate washers and fluorescent microscopes.Cellular PathologyCellular Pathology deals with the microscopic analysis of tissue samples and cells. Sample preparation and processing includes fixation, staining, sectioning and slide mounting, using equipment such microtomes and cryostats. In choosing immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry kits, consider chromogens, staining method, antibodies, microscopes and imaging.Cell-Based AssaysCell-based assays are used to monitor the presence, quantity and activities of a desired cellular analyte including drug molecules or biomarkers. This can reveal information on cell health (apoptosis, cytotoxicity, viability and proliferation assays), cell metabolism, cell migration and cell signaling mechanisms. Find the best cell-based assay products, kits and equipment with our peer reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receiving pricing direct from manufacturers.DNA / RNA Extraction and PurificationPurified DNA and RNA are required for numerous downstream molecular biology applications. 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Biomarkers include genetic markers, cell surface markers such as antigens, antibodies or receptors and secreted molecules such as cytokines. An assay system is required for identification of biomarkers. :Clinical ChemistryBiochemistry (or clinical chemistry) involves the analysis of bodily fluids using chemical tests. Techniques used include HPLC, chromatography, spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, immunochemical, electrophoresis, turbidometric / spectrophotometric assay, MRI and ISE analysis. Tests are often carried out on plasma or serum but urine (urinalysis) and fecal specimens are also processed.Clinical GeneticsMolecular Genetics covers the analysis of hereditary genetic disease and chromosomal abnormalities. Genetics can be analysed using DNA, RNA, and protein microarrays, PCR, RT PCR and DNA sequencing. Genetic equipment includes genetic workstations, thermal cyclers, cooling blocks and electrophoresis products. Diagnostic kits are used for DNA / RNA extraction and purification.Clinical MicrobiologyMicrobiology is the study of microorganisms including protists, prokaryotes, fungi, and, often, viruses. Microorganisms are a useful research tool as genetic vectors and, in immunology, for antibiotic susceptibility testing, cellular biology and genetics. Microorganisms commonly grow readily in incubators with microbial culture media; this can contain chromogenic supplements to differentiate between cell lines. Estimate your culture’s density of microorganisms with colony counters, or screen and select colonies for desirable clones with automated colony pickers. Additionally, equipment is available to monitor environments for the presence of microbes and identify with microbial identification instruments. Find the best microbiology products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Cryopreservation

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