Tony Harbison Owner RTD Technology T/A Asistec
From preserving life-saving therapies to accelerating pharmaceutical research, liquid nitrogen (LN₂) is one of the most important technologies supporting today’s life sciences industry. Liquid Nitrogen is an important component for the next generation of biological medicines, storing valuable cell lines or supporting cutting-edge research, Pharma organisations and researchers across Ireland rely on liquid nitrogen every day. Rarely seen outside specialist facilities, LN₂ underpins many of the technologies that improve healthcare, advance scientific discovery and supporting modern manufacturing.
More Than Just a Cold Liquid
At -196°C, liquid nitrogen provides one of the most effective and reliable methods of preserving biological materials. By rapidly reducing temperature, it effectively halts biological activity, allowing samples to be stored for months—or even years—without significant degradation.
Today, LN₂ plays a critical role across:
- Biopharmaceutical manufacturing
- Pharmaceutical research and development
- Cell and gene therapy
- Universities and research institutes
- Clinical laboratories
- IVF and fertility clinics
- Biobanking and tissue storage
- Food production and industrial processing
- Stem Cell storage
While many people associate liquid nitrogen simply with ultra-low temperatures, its true value lies in protecting materials that are often irreplaceable.
Supporting Innovation in Biopharma
Ireland has become one of the world’s leading biopharmaceutical manufacturing locations. As biologics, advanced therapies and personalised medicines continue to evolve, dependable cryogenic storage has become increasingly important.
Liquid nitrogen enables organisations to safely preserve:
- Cell lines
- Master and working cell banks
- Stem cells
- Clinical trial materials
- Biological reference standards
- Patient samples
Maintaining these materials at cryogenic temperatures helps preserve their integrity, supporting consistency in research, manufacturing and quality control while protecting years of scientific investment.
Essential for Research
Every day, researchers depend on liquid nitrogen to protect valuable scientific work.
From molecular biology and genomics to regenerative medicine and vaccine development, cryogenic storage safeguards biological samples that may be impossible to replace. Reliable storage allows experiments to be reproduced with confidence while maintaining the quality and viability of critical materials.
For many laboratories, the storage system itself becomes just as important as the samples it protects.
Beyond Equipment – Complete Integrated Cryogenic Facility Solutions
Successful cryogenic storage involves far more than selecting the right storage vessel. Each facility has unique operational requirements, and the most effective solution is one that integrates equipment, infrastructure, monitoring and safety into a complete, reliable system.
Asistec has extensive experience supporting organisations in the planning and implementation of integrated cryogenic storage facilities, helping customers develop solutions that are safe, compliant and designed around their operational requirements.
Typical Integrated Cryogenic Storage System
The diagram below illustrates the principal elements of a modern cryogenic storage facility. Rather than operating as standalone pieces of equipment, each component works together as part of an integrated system to protect valuable biological materials, support regulatory compliance and ensure operational reliability.
It’s not just the facility but includes sample collection, preparation for cryogenic cold storage and then the removal, transportation to the point of use for further processing. This requires a cold chain management protocol.
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