Cryopreservation

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Cryopreservation or cryoconservation is a process where biological material—cells, tissues, or organs—are frozen to preserve the material for an extended period of time. At low temperatures (typically −80 °C (−112 °F) or −196 °C (−321 °F) using liquid nitrogen) any cell metabolism which might cause damage to the biological material in question is effectively stopped. Cryopreservation is an effective way to transport biological samples over long distances, store samples for prolonged periods of time, and create a bank of samples for users. Plant materials that have been preserved through cyropreservation can theoretically remain alive for centuries. They are then properly removed and regenerated into healthy plants. As a result, cyropreservation has proven to be an effective method for conserving plant with unique genetic makeup and some species that produce recalcitrant seeds. Molecules, referred to as cryoprotective agents (CPAs), are added to reduce the osmotic shock and physical...

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