Challenges and Recent Advances in Achieving Optimal Sample Quality in Cryo-Storage of Biological Samples

In March 2009 Time Magazine described under the title “10 Ideas that are changing the World” that biobanks as instruments of science will revolutionize modern medicine (Time Magazine March 23, 2009 | Vol. 173 No. 11).

In general Biobanks are mostly known as storage facility only. But this reflects just one part of the biobanking process and leaves topics like freezing or transportation aside. To evaluate the major challenges and pitfalls of the whole biobanking process we analysed scientific publications/knowledge. Based on this evaluation we identified a potential solution to get the best sample quality during the whole biobanking process.