Your Best Choice When it Comes to Biobanking

Survival Criteria for Specimens in Biobank

Simport is proud to serve Biobanks with quality tubes and containers for the long-term preservation of cells in suspension and biopsies. The key to success in biobanking is to preserve the integrity of biological specimens for decades. Only possible by using thick, rigid, leakproof, virgin plastic tubes and containers. Indeed, a container with thin walls can crack, and a leaking container can let the liquid evaporate over time and let contaminants enter. Coating from plastic can degrade over time and contaminate your specimen. For example, one of our distributors shared this story with us. He had suggested his customer purchase a Simport container to do a biobank of a particular insect. The customer preferred to use cheap plastic containers. It did not take long for the customer’s containers to crack, and most specimens were lost.

Biobank for Cells and Molecules in Suspension

When choosing the proper tube for cell or molecule storage in suspension, Simport offers Cryovials® that have thick rigid walls that will not crack over time. Moreover, Simport Cryovials® are made of virgin polypropylene to avoid contamination by the deterioration of the coating over time. Lastly, the five models of caps offered by Simport to close its Cryovials® are 100% leak-proof. Ask for a sample to test them for yourself.

For storage of volumes less than 2mL, Simport offers the possibility of a 2D barcode under the Cryovial® engraved by a permanent laser etching system. Over long-time storage, this facilitates patient traceability compared to marker handwriting that can erase over time. The reading of a box full of Cryovial® with 2D barcodes is now made possible by small holes under the storage box. The holes permit a visible barcode without the removal of tubes.

Tissue Biobank

Now you could say: “Wow, this is great! What if I want to store small tissue? Should I use a Cryovial® too?” If you care about the integrity of the tissue, I strongly suggest you do not squeeze any tissue in a Cryovial®. Not only will this damage the tissue, but your tissue will get stuck in the tube when thawed. Some people might prefer to wrap the tissue in aluminum foil. We do not recommend this to preserve the traceability of the patient and the integrity of the tissue. The tissue has no protection. Simport has the best solution on the market for the long-term preservation of small tissue: The Cryosette™. This 2.5 ml container features a wide-mouth opening to preserve the integrity of the tissue when placing the tissue and removing it from the container. The cap screws and assures a leak-proof closure. Cryosette™ has a flat base to ensure a stable container during tissue manipulation. For optimal traceability, many options are available. Using labels under the Cryosette™, a writing surface in front of the Cryosette™, a color coding cap insert, or 2D barcoding identification also in front of the Cryosette™.

The durable polycarbonate storage boxes from Simport are perfect for storing Cryovials® and Cryosette™ for decades, a lifetime targeted by biobanks. Who wants to use a cardboard box that absorbs humidity?

If you have a larger specimen than the capacity of the Cryosette™, we also offer bigger containers named SpecTainer TM, a contraction for specimen container. The SpecTainer™ has thick and robust walls, made of virgin polypropylene, protected by a leak-proof cap, safe from contamination and plastic cracking. The SpecTainer's™ volume capacity ranges from 20mL up to 120mL. We offer containers that can hold up to 5.7L made for larger specimen collection.

Are you using Simport tubes and containers in your biobank? If you care about specimen preservation, Simport has the solution for you.