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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » National Clonal Germplasm Repository » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #211279
Title: Controlled Rate Cooling

Author
item Reed, Barbara
item UCHENDU, ESTHER - OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Plant Cryopreservation, A Practical Guide
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/1/2007
Publication Date: 11/12/2007
Citation: Reed, B.M., Uchendu, E. 2007. Controlled Rate Cooling. In: Reed, B.M. Plant Cryopreservation, A Practical Guide. New York, NY. p. 77-92.

Interpretive Summary: Controlled-rate cooling is one of several techniques available for the long-term storage of plants in liquid nitrogen (at -320 °F). In this technique samples are slowly cooled to about -40 °F and then plunged into liquid nitrogen. Controlled rate cooling causes water to move out of the cells so that the cell liquids become concentrated and will not crystallize at low temperatures. Controlled rate cooling is very efficient for storing many types of cell cultures, and shoot tips from temperate and subtropical plants. The advantages include the use of standardized procedures, programmed cooling rates, large batch sizes, and the effective use of technician time. This chapter reviews the steps involved in successfully using controlled rate cooling for cryopreservation.

Technical Abstract: Controlled-rate cooling is one of several techniques available for the long-term storage of plants in liquid nitrogen. In this technique samples are slowly cooled to an intermediate temperature and then plunged in liquid nitrogen. Controlled rate cooling is based on osmotic regulation of cell contents and freeze-induced dehydration. Controlled rate cooling is very efficient for storing suspension and callus cultures, embryogenic cultures, and shoot tips from temperate and subtropical plants. The advantages include the use of standardized procedures, programmed cooling rates, large batch sizes, and the effective use of technician time. This chapter reviews the steps involved in successfully using controlled rate cooling for cryopreservation.