Design and implementation of a large-scale liquid nitrogen archive

Area of Science:

• Biobanking and Cryopreservation
• Large-scale Sample Management
• Cryogenic Engineering

Background:

• The UK Biobank initiative necessitated a robust, long-term storage solution for a substantial biological sample collection.
• Existing infrastructure was insufficient for the required scale, temperature, and duration of storage.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and implement a high-capacity cryogenic facility for the vapour-phase storage of over 5 million micro-tubes.
• To ensure sample stability and integrity at temperatures below -180°C for a minimum of 20 years.
• To establish a remote, largely unmanned archive with a complete cryogenic infrastructure.

Main Methods:

• Commissioned a commercial supplier for a turnkey cryogenic system, including design, project management, and installation.
• Implemented a system featuring a bulk tank, super-insulated vacuum lines, and high-capacity vapour-phase storage vessels (Taylor Wharton LABS80K).
• Integrated comprehensive inventory control systems with local and remote software for efficient management.

Main Results:

• Successfully established a 900 m² industrial unit dedicated to cryogenic sample archiving.
• The installed system provides high storage density, exceptional temperature stability, and reliable vapour-phase storage.
• The facility is equipped to manage 5 million 1.2 ml capacity micro-tubes.

Conclusions:

• The implemented cryogenic facility meets UK Biobank's stringent requirements for long-term, large-scale sample preservation.
• Vapour-phase storage in specialized vessels ensures sample integrity and stability at ultra-low temperatures.
• The project demonstrates a scalable solution for advanced biobanking infrastructure.