The invention provides cryopreserved compositions of cells, wherein the compositions are advantageously in the form of self-sustaining bodies that can be individually handled and combined independently of a container, allowing for easy customization of the eventual pooled preparation. The invention also provides pre-pooled stacks of the self-sustaining cryopreserved compositions for eventual thawing to produce pooled preparations of cells, and methods of creating the same.

The straw comprises a tube (11) extending between a first end and a second end and comprises a gas-permeable, liquid-tight plug, said plug being arranged in the tube (11) in the vicinity of the first end of same and extending between a first end turned towards the first end of the tube (11) and a second end turned towards the second end of the tube (11). Said plug comprises an element (14) impregnated with multivalent cations (22) at least in the vicinity of a first end turned towards the second end of the tube (11). The system comprises the straw and a liquid medium provided to produce, by mixing, in predefined conditions, the liquid substance (21). The medium contains an alginate (23) in solution.

Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for the cryopreservation of stem cells, such as stem-cell derived retinal pigment epithelial cells, that have been seeded onto and cultured on a substrate, such as a polymeric substrate. Such cryopreserved stem cells are useful for cell therapies, such as treatment of ocular damage or disease.

A kit for performing long term storage of biological matter is provided. The kit includes an elongate rod, extending between opposed first and second ends, and at least one holding point disposed upon the rod between the first and second ends, the holding point comprising a recess defined within a wall. A cryovial with an internal volume is configured to receive a biological sample therein, the cryovial comprising at least one finger that extends radially outward from an outer circumference thereof, wherein the finger is configured to releaseably mate with the at least one holding point upon the rod.

The method involves placing an oocyte cell in a cell holder (1), securing the cell holder in a treatment station, applying a treatment solution to the cell by washing the cell with the solution, and rapidly cooling the cell holder and cell to a predetermined cryopreservation temperature for cryopreservation of the cell. The cell is cooled at a high rate sufficient to permit vitrification of the cell and any surrounding treatment solution to occur. The cell is then maintained at or below a predetermined storage temperature for storage. The method allows multiple cells to be treated simultaneously each secured within a respective cell holder.

The system comprises a straw and a liquid dilution medium. The straw comprises a tube (11) extending between a first end and a second end and comprises a gas-permeable, liquid-tight plug, said plug being arranged in the tube (11) in the vicinity of the first end of same and extending between a first end turned towards the first end of the tube (11) and a second end turned towards the second end of the tube (11). Said plug comprises an element (14) impregnated with a reagent (22) at least in the vicinity of a first end turned towards the second end of the tube (11). The liquid medium is provided to produce, by mixing, in predefined conditions, the liquid substance (21). The reagent (22) and the medium(27) are configured such that, when the substance (21) comes into contact with the first end of the impregnated element (14), it forms a hydrogel.

A collected living tissue cryopreserving appliance is composed of a collected tissue accommodating container, a heat-sealable accommodating bag for accommodating the collected tissue accommodating container therein, and a container holding member for holding the collected tissue accommodating container accommodated inside the accommodating bag. The collected tissue accommodating container is composed of a bottomed cylindrical container body and a lid member mountable on the container body in an airtight state. The lid member has a tissue piece placing member and a sealing member, formed on an inner surface of a lid body part, for sealing an open portion of the transparent container body.

A specimen carrier includes an elongate member defining an external sealing surface and a support surface upon which a specimen can be carried, the elongate member including a first material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion. The specimen carrier further includes a cap configured to be passed over a portion of the elongate member to close a region of the cap that surrounds the specimen when the cap is passed over the portion of the elongate member, the cap defining an internal sealing surface formed complementary to the external sealing surface, and the cap including a second material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion that is greater than the first coefficient of thermal expansion. When the elongate member and cap are together placed in a cooling substance, the internal sealing surface of the cap compresses the external sealing surface of the elongate member to form a hermetic seal.

The storage system is intended to provide users a device, that may securely hold biological samples within a cell in a space saving storage assembly. It is further an aim of the storage system to enable easy retrieval of the biological samples through a simple two-step retrieval action of the cell. Furthermore, the system includes a compact storage assembly that comprises multiple cells and canisters stacked together having efficient structural components that are suited for a typical freezer tank for biological samples. Additionally, the storage system comprises a simple elevator system that enables easy and fast retrieval of a single canister and cell from a large group of canisters.

The present disclosure describes a cryogenic vessel or holder designed to retain biological specimens, such as embryos or unfertilized eggs. The holder is insulated to reduce the rate of warming of the biological specimens, can hold numerous biological specimens snuggly to alleviate damage by jarring, and has an inner cavity that receives cryogen to keep the biological specimens immersed in cryogen during shipping. The design allows for safer shipping and handling of the biological specimens with less risk of damage. The design can also be utilized as a long-term sample holding and storage device.