By Sarah Marsh
Effective financial expenditure is crucial for driving the pace of scientific research and maximising innovation. When it comes to the cost of storing and shipping biospecimens, traditional cryopreservation is not effective nor efficient, since the extortionate price does not always guarantee reliable, high-quality samples. There are also a number of often-overlooked expenses association with conventional cryopreservation methods, as described below:
The Hidden Costs of Traditional Cryopreservation
- Specialised Equipment: Ultra-low temperature freezers and liquid nitrogen storage tanks are expensive to purchase and maintain.
- Energy Consumption: Cryogenic storage requires significant energy, contributing to high utility costs.
- Shipping Expenses: Dry ice and specialised containers for frozen samples are costly, especially for long-distance or international shipments.
- Time and Labour: The complex processes of freezing and thawing samples demand skilled personnel and valuable time.
- Sample Loss: Freeze-thaw cycles can lead to cell damage and reduced viability, potentially compromising research outcomes.
Scientists are now tired of grappling with budget constraints, failed dry ice shipments, and want to be kinder to our planet, so it’s time for an innovative solution; hypothermic preservation.
The Hypothermic Preservation Alternative
Hypothermic cell preservation offers a revolutionary approach to eliminate the costs and challenges of cryopreservation outlined above. Atelerix have taken this principle, and developed a novel alginate-based hydrogel technology that can encapsulate a biospecimen sample (cells, tissues, 3D models etc), and allow storage and transport between 4°C and 25°C. For short-term storage and transport, the economic, logistical, and environmental benefits of Atelerix’s hypothermic preservation technology are undeniable. An estimated breakdown of cost savings and efficiency improvements is outline below:
1. Equipment and Energy Savings
Cryopreservation:
- Ultra-low freezer (-80°C): £10,000 - £15,000 initial cost
- Annual energy consumption: Approximately 16-20 kWh/day
- Yearly energy cost: £700 - £900 (at £0.12/kWh)
Hypothermic Preservation:
- Standard refrigerator or room temperature storage
- Minimal additional equipment needed
- Negligible increase in energy consumption
Potential Savings: Up to £15,000 in equipment costs and £900 annually in energy expenses
2. Shipping Costs
Cryopreservation Shipment:
- Dry ice: £50 - £100 per shipment
- Specialised cryogenic shipping container: £200 - £500
- Expedited shipping fees: Variable, but often significant
Hypothermic Preservation Shipment:
- Standard packaging materials
- Regular shipping rates
- No need for expedited services
Potential Savings: 50-80% reduction in shipping costs per sample.
3. Labour and Time Efficiency
Cryopreservation:
- Complex freezing protocols: 1-2 hours per batch
- Careful thawing procedures: 30-60 minutes per sample
Hypothermic Preservation:
- Simple encapsulation process: 5-10 minutes
- Quick release when needed: 5-10 minutes
Potential Savings: Up to 75% reduction in hands-on time for sample preparation and recovery.
4. Sample Viability and Research Quality
While not directly quantifiable in monetary terms, the improved viability of samples preserved at ambient temperatures can lead to significant indirect savings:
- Reduced need for repeat experiments due to sample degradation
- More reliable results, potentially accelerating research timelines
- Increased success rates in downstream applications
Studies have shown that certain cell types preserved using Atelerix's hydrogel technology demonstrate up to a 4-fold increase in viable cell yield after 7 to 14 days of storage at room temperature, compared to cryopreservation.
Real-World Application
Applying these cost reductions to a real-world setting, such as the storage and shipment of T cells for a multi-site clinical trial of T cell therapy, highlights the long-term cost margins between traditional cryopreservation and Atelerix’s hypothermic technology.
Cryopreservation:
- Cryopreservation equipment at each site: £50,000 (5 sites)
- Shipping costs for 100 samples over a year: £15,000
- Labour costs for sample handling: £10,000
- Total: £75,000
Atelerix Hypothermic Preservation:
- Atelerix preservation kits: £10,000
- Standard shipping for 100 samples: £3,000
- Reduced labour costs: £2,500
- Total: £15,500
Potential Savings: £59,500 (79% reduction)
Beyond the direct cost savings, Atelerix’s technology offers additional benefits:
- Simplified logistics and reduced risk of shipping delays
- Increased flexibility in sample collection and processing schedules
- Improved sample quality and consistency across sites
Ready to join the hypothermic revolution yet?
If you’re ready to take the first step towards more efficient, cost-effective cell preservation, Atelerix offers tailored solutions for a wide range of cell types and research applications.
Contact us today to request a sample kit or schedule a consultation with our expert team.
Fresh Sample Shelf Life AMPLIFIED!
References:
Gumapas, L. A., & Simons, G. (2013). Factors affecting the performance, energy consumption, and carbon footprint for ultra low temperature freezers: Case study at the National Institutes of Health. World Review of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development, 10(1-3), 129-141.
Atelerix. (n.d.). Cryologistics: Science's Carbon-Intensive Secret.
