Cryobiology

The Cryobiology core facilty was set up in 2006 in response to the need for cryopreservation of research samples.

The objective of the Cryobiology core facility is to provide the spaces and infrastructure necessary to carry out preservation services and to guarantee the maintenance of the equipment, the facilities and the samples.

The service is structured two clearly differentiated areas in function of preservation temperature; ultra-low freezers at -80ºC and liquid nitrogen at -190ºC. Currently the service has a coverage of 40 ultra-low freezers and eight liquid nitrogen cryogenic freezing tanks which contain collections in the custody of different research groups.

The facility is equipped with the necessary security and control measures to ensure the correct functioning of the equipment and guarantee the preservation of the samples.

  • Management control software for the cryogenic facility
  • Monitoring software for temperatures of ultra-freezers (JRI/Sirius)
  • Forced ventilation system and oxygen level detection System in the liquid nitrogen room
  • Autonomous air-conditioning in the ultra-low freezer rooms
  • Back-up ultra-freezers (housing samples in case of incident)
  • Liquid nitrogen dispenser for transport flasks
  • Limited and controlled access and on-site security vigilance

The liquid nitrogen section preservation has its own cryogenic installation (equipped with a deposit of 2,500Kg, depressurized pipework, control panel and specific software) which permits automatic filling manoeuvres and monitoring of levels and temperatures of samples.

The support personnel concentrate on management and maintenance of resources leaving cryopreservation, inventory and movement of samples in the hands of the users.