GaiaCell Secures Liquid Nitrogen Supply for Biobank Samples
Following a disruption in its gas supply, GaiaCell, the company responsible for maintaining the storage of samples from the now-defunct Biobank, has announced it will purchase liquid nitrogen to ensure continued preservation. The move comes after GaiaCell terminated its previous contract with a gas supplier. Approximately 4,000 samples, previously held within the Biobank – which operated for 16 years – are currently under GaiaCell’s care.
The Biobank ceased operations in 2024, transferring its collection of children’s samples to GaiaCell without a formal storage agreement. Legal action is underway with the law firm Vrtačnik, representing around 500 families, urging GaiaCell to maintain the gas supply. The firm highlights growing interest from parents and companies willing to contribute financially to the preservation of the samples.
GaiaCell’s director, Gordana Kalan Živčec, stated that individuals prepared to fund the necessary nitrogen supply “cannot be hindered.” The ongoing situation centers around the critical need to maintain the integrity of the stored samples.
Topics: #samples #nitrogen #biobank
