Large proteomic biobanks are being established to support general research in pharmacogenomics and medicine as well as more focused programmes targeting specific disease states. Typically, these contain tissue samples and blood-derived fractions such as plasma and serum, which must be stored at -80°C to prevent degradation.   Polar has been specifically designed to reliably store these invaluable samples at ultra low temperatures, and for long periods (25 years). Its unique design includes:   Rapid delivery of incoming samples to secure refrigerated storage, with vessel identities confirmed automatically on entry Patented storage compartment design allowing unlimited robotic access whilst maintaining the required sample storage conditions Requested specimens are picked and collated entirely within the refrigerated store enclosure, with the only requested items presented for collection by an operator The UK Biobank is using TAP’s Polar ULT store with a capacity to hold 10 million individual sample tubes at –80°C to support research programmes for a projected 20+ year time frame   For more information visit: SMS Systems - Polar System Overview   TAP has provided its Polar automated repository for the UK Biobank in Manchester, England. Here, Polar uses Liquid Nitrogen to maintain the -80°C storage conditions for many millions of sample tubes. Although TAP can provide Polar with either conventional or liquid nitrogen cooling, there are significant benefits to the liquid nitrogen approach that led to its use for the UK Biobank project.   Capital cost saving – far less building infrastructure is required for a store with liquid nitrogen cooling, as well as the cost of the store itself being significantly lower compared to a system using mechanical refrigeration Space saving – ULT mechanical plant needs to be located close to the store, where it will take up considerable space. A nitrogen-cooled store does not require plant of this type. (In either case we use subsidiary mechanical cooling to independently maintain a -20°C condition in the robotic aisle, but these plant units can be remote from the store itself) Low noise – mechanical cascade refrigeration plant is a major noise source, and this issue is avoided with the use of liquid nitrogen Easy maintenance – Nitrogen cooling is intrinsically simple and reliable, so maintenance normally just means regular inspection checks. This contrasts with more significant maintenance and limited operational lifetime that would be associated with mechanical refrigeration plant. These running costs offset the superficially lower cost of electrical power compared to nitrogen supply No compromise on storage temperature – large-scale cascade refrigeration is typically limited by the performance of refrigerants and loading on the compressor plant in the storage temperatures they can maintain. The target of -80°C is close to the limit of what can reliably be achieved with 2-stage cascade plant. Liquid nitrogen cooling has no such limitation and has been proved to maintain conditions over the whole of the ULT storage compartment volume, even during sample access Reliable – liquid nitrogen is self-pumping and apart from the control valve (which is itself straightforward) there are no moving parts involved No waste heat – whereas mechanical plant is thermally inefficient, generating large quantities of heat that must be removed from the vicinity of the store, liquid nitrogen is intrinsically cold and does not require any significant heat sources, and consequently does not require additional HVAC infrastructure Security of supply – Liquid nitrogen cooling depends on a regular delivery from a bulk nitrogen supplier. These companies already have well developed plans and procedures for ensuring continuity of service to their users in all conditions such as adverse weather events, and can therefore offer a high level of assurance in regard to the continuity of supply Modularity – each storage compartment is controlled individually and so the temperature of one can be set independently of the others. Unused compartments can be shut down without affecting the operation of others Extensibility – it is easy to include isolation valves to permit pipework to be extended, should the store need to be expanded in capacity in the future Redundancy – Each compartment has redundant evaporator and flow control. If necessary, both the the pipework and supply dewar can be made dual circuit. Where the highest levels of redundancy are required, liquid nitrogen can be integrated with mechanical refrigeration in a hybrid system.   For more information on ULT storage of biological samples   Get more details on TAP's SMS Systems   Discuss your requirements with Ian Ransome, Sales Director << Back to key applications in Sample Management & Screening Back to top   print page