Biospecimen Storage Protocol

• Depending on the intended laboratory analyses, and other considerations, specimens and their aliquots may be stored under different suitable conditions.
• Despite temperature, other storage conditions that are optimal for the preservation of specimen stability should be considered, such as endogenous hormones and others.

• Slides, tissue blocks. Room temperature, about 18°C to 20°C, is recommended for preservation.
• Processing fresh specimens. Refrigerator, about 0°C to 4°C, is recommended for preservation.
• Short-term DNA stability. Freezer, about -0.5°C to -27°C, is recommended for preservation.
• DNA stability. Freezer, about -27°C to -40°C, is recommended for preservation.
• DNA / RNA stability. Freezer, about -40°C to -80°C, is recommended for preservation.
• Urine, blood, blood fractions (plasma, serum, etc.). Freezer, about -80°C to -130°C, is recommended for preservation.

• Storage of tissues, preservation of cellular viability. Liquid nitrogen vapor, about -130°C to -150°C, is recommended for preservation.
• Storage of living cells. Liquid nitrogen liquid phase, about -196°C, is recommended for preservation.

• Adequate back-up storage capacity for low temperature units should be maintained. The power supply must be connected to a back-up generator system that immediately provides power during an electrical outage. Standard operating procedures and techniques for rapidly transferring material to back-up units during such emergencies should be documented.
• Adequate supply of liquid nitrogen must be maintained. Vapor phase liquid nitrogen storage is preferred over liquid phase storage, where cross-contamination of specimens may occur.
• Dry ice is frequently used as a refrigerant for shipping and emergency back-up for mechanical freezers.
• A system for maintenance and repair of storage equipment, support systems and facilities should be in place.
• All equipment should be validated before use, or following repairs that affect the instrument's accuracy or other capabilities.
• Labels for storage vessels must be capable of withstanding the required storage conditions, the label material must not deteriorate and printing must be readable or scannable after long-term storage.

Tissues

Blood

Lysate

Biofluids

Nucleic Acid

Sample Collection Service

Reference

1. Vaught JB and Henderson MK. (2011). "Biological sample collection, processing, storage and information management." IARC Sci Publ. (163), 23-42.