The laboratory procedure
The steps of the laboratory procedure and quality control are the following:
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Cord Blood Collection:
After completion of the labour procedure, cord blood is collected by your Obstetrician/midwife through a painless quick procedure, posing no risk either to the mother or the newborn. Me minimum quantity of blood to be collected is 60ml. However it is of interest to collect as much blood as possible, since it will contribute to a higher number of stem cells. -
Transport in our lab premises with the specialised LIAISON transfer kit, which protects the sample from temperature fluctuations.:
Following the International Netcord Samples the cord blood unit should be tranferred and processed within 72 hours from collection. LIAISON’s tranfer kit , contains specialised temperature stabilisers, protecting the sample from temperature fluctuations and guaranting the highest cell viability. -
Blood Culture and 1st cellular content and viability analysis, in order to evaluate the quality of the unit.:
The Cord Blood Units are processed in the Grade B state of the art LIAISON’s laboratory premises, equipped with ULPA filters, minimising the risk of sample contamination. The cryopreservation/storage rooms are limited access places, with fire safety, alarm and telesurveillance monitoring systems. -
Cord Blood Processing:
Cord blood is processed, volume reduced , so as to isolate and cryopreserve the ‘useful’ stem cell containing fraction ‘buffy coat’ of the sample. This process isnot performedmanually, as in the majority of CBBs. On the contrary LIAISON was one of the first banks in Europe to use the automated system Sepax – Biosafe, which processes and introduces automatically the cord blood product in PALL cryobags. Cryobags are then placed in metallic canisters for even better protection during storage. -
Cryoprotective solution – DMSO- addition with the automated system Coolmix for optimised cell protection & survival:
The DMSO cryoprotective solution is added using another automated equipment the Coolmix – Biosafe, providing a constant temperature (40C) & flow (0,3ml/min). If DMSO is added manually and not in the appropriate flow and temperature becomes very toxic for the cells. With the Coolmix LIAISON achieves optimised cell protection & survival. -
2nd cord blood unit analysis:
Hematology, Flow cytometry and blood culture analysis of the final product -
Programmed rate freezer cryopreservation of the Cord Blood Units:
Once the second group of analysis is performed on the sample, the units are cryopreserved with a controlled rate freezer, known to be the ideal method for cell cryopreservation. -
Storage in specialised liquid nitrogen tanks, equipped with 24 hour telesurveillance system:
When the Programmed Rate freezer cryopreservation cycle is complete, the cord blood samples in their metallic canisters are tranferred and stored in liquid nitrogen tanks, equipped with 24h telesurveillance system .
