Cryopreservation and Freeze-Drying Protocols, Second Edition

Preface
The preservation of biological material in a stable state is a fundamental
requirement in biological/medical science, agriculture, and biotechnology.
It has enabled standardization of experimental work over time, has secured
lifesaving banks of cells and tissue ready for transplantation and transfusion at
the time of need and has assured the survival of critical germ plasm in support
of programs for the conservation of species. Cryopreservation and freezedrying
are widely accepted as the preferred techniques for achieving long-term
storage, and have been applied to an increasingly diverse range of biological
materials. Although the basis for many methodologies is common, many laboratories
lack expertise in applying correct preservation and storage procedures and
many apply outdated or inappropriate protocols for storing samples or cultures.
Cryopreservation and Freeze-Drying Protocols, Second Edition, in addition
to outlining the fundamental principles associated with the conservation
of biological resources, freeze-drying, and cryopreservation, is a compilation
of cryopreservation and freeze-drying methodologies applicable to different
biological materials, which have been developed by expert laboratories. The
protocols are reproducible, robust, and most have been transferred successfully
to other laboratories. Our intended readers are those proposing to establish,
or improve, biostorage systems in their laboratory, whether concerned
with biological resource centers, animal husbandry, aquaculture, horticulture,
medicine, or human fertilization programs.
Because the emphasis of this volume is on methodology it is intended that
practical progress can be made without reference to other sources. Each chapter
deals with a discrete biological resource: a short introduction on the status
of biostorage development is followed by a detailed description of materials
required and methodological protocol to be followed, with explanatory notes
on key technical issues.
This second edition expands on the range of materials covered in the 1995
edition and includes many novel approaches and protocols for biological materials
that were not preservable in 1995. However, there are still many materials
that remain preservation-recalcitrant, we hope and trust that future editions
will contain cryopreservation and freeze-drying protocols that can be used to
preserve biological resources that are at present recalcitrant to successful preservation.
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John G. Day
Glyn N. Stacey