Imagine a world in which your own genetic material can be used to fight disease. Eliminate the signs of aging. Produce healthy children. Now imagine that world exists. Because with Cryobank technology, it does.
Cryobank and cryotechnology are cutting edge medical advances and services that are being used for innovative and astonishing treatments. To heal wounds, build families, and even reverse the signs of aging. This isn’t some futuristic world view. This is right now.
What is a Cryobank?
A cryobank is a facility that is capable of extracting and storing a number of different organic materials and tissues. These tissues are then stored for use should the need arise. These tissues are stored at such low temperatures that the cells are prevented from damaging themselves or evolving from their initial state.
Cryobank technologies have been an emerging and arduously studied science since the 1950s. Recent advances in the techniques used to “freeze” the tissue samples have allowed contemporary scientists the ability to preserve any number of beneficial tissues.
While it’s normal to refer to the tissues as “frozen”, most cryobank technologies actually try not to freeze the samples, but cool them. Ice crystals that form during freezing can actually damage sensitive tissues. This is why scientists refer to cryobank tissues as “preserved”, rather than “frozen”.
How Does a CryoBank Work?
Cryobanks work by first collecting tissue samples. This is generally a non-invasive procedure. Once the tissues have been collected they are then transferred to special vials. These vials are then cooled by either using liquid nitrogen or solid carbon dioxide, depending on the tissue that is being preserved.
Different tissues tolerate different temperatures and different cooling rates. Some tissues can become damaged if they are preserved too quickly. Once the tissue is sufficiently preserved, it is then stored at that temperature. Because preservation ceases all metabolic activity or cell function, these cells remain in a state of stasis, never changing from their pre-preserved form. Not only that, but it also prevents any microbial or bacterial activity from contaminating the tissue and cells.
A great cryobank will routinely test tissues to ensure their preserved quality should you or your family require those tissues.
What is Stored in a Cryobank?
Many tissues can be stored in a cryobank including:
● Eggs
● Sperm
● Embryos
● Stem Cells
● Blood
● Umbilical Cord Blood
● Tissue Samples (Such as skin and bone cells)
Cryobank technologies work best when preserving small groups of cells. Whole organs, like hearts, lungs, and kidneys, have not been successfully stored yet. Scientists are continuing to find new preservation methods, and conducting extensive research to continue discovering more and diverse methods of preservation. This is done in the hope that someday many diseases or disabilities could be eradicated entirely with the help of stored cells and tissues.
Who Can Use a Cryobank?
While it’s generally assumed that cryobanks are useful only for genetic materials and fertility treatments, cryobanks can be used by anyone. `
Fertility
Cryobanks are likely to have a big role in the future of surrogacy and fertility more broadly. Storing eggs, sperm, and embryos can prove to be incredibly useful for fertility treatments and IVF procedures. Should multiple attempts be required, stored material within a cryobank can reduce the time and effort it takes to continue procedures. Stored embryos can also be tested for genetic abnormalities and diseases prior to implantation. This is called Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD).
For anyone who wants to postpone starting a family, cryobank services can provide assurance for your future. Preserving your genetic material allows couples to decide with more certainty when will be a good time to have a child. Sperm, eggs, and embryos that have been preserved do not degrade or lose their virility. Giving you the ability to choose the best time without compromising the health of your family.
Health and Wellness
Stem cell cryobank storage has given way to an impressive advancement called “bio-insurance”.
With bio-insurance, people are now capable of storing their own stem cells. Stem cells are essentially building blocks of every part of your body. These cells exist within a person throughout their lifetime. Stem cells are non-specialized, which means they can become almost anything, should your functional cells become damaged or aged.
Young stem cells can be collected at any age. These cells can be used to regenerate and heal damaged skin, bones, neurons, capillaries and many other functional parts of our bodies. Having these cells preserved before they are needed can help ensure a better recovery from trauma or illness.
Preventative Medicine
The uncertainty of the unknown can weigh heavily upon most of us. But if you, or someone you love, is facing invasive medical treatment, such as chemotherapy, vasectomy, or a tubal ligation, it is wise to store as much healthy material should your cells become damaged, or should you change your mind about reproduction.
Another excellent reason to store genetic material and stem cells is if you are at a higher risk for trauma. Many careers today put people at risk of physical harm. If your career choice could increase the likelihood of physical harm or infertility, preserving your cells may be a way to prevent future difficulties.
So, Why Choose a Cryobank?
We choose coverage for our vehicles, should we get into an auto accident. We choose health plans should we get sick. And we have policies that protect our homes from unforeseen disasters. Why wouldn’t we choose to protect our own legacy and lineage in the same way?
Making the decision to choose a cryobank and cryobank services shouldn’t be any more difficult than picking auto coverage. Protecting our well-being from the uncertainty of time is one of the simplest choices we can make. Cryobanks are capable of storing and cultivating hundreds of millions of cells at one time. No one should have to choose between creating a child or surviving cancer.
The advancements in cryobank technologies are exceptionally promising, with the possibilities to treat degenerative illnesses like Multiple Sclerosis or Alzheimer’s Disease. Choosing a cryobank now may help you overcome disaster in the future. The promise of continued health and virility is a peace of mind that is absolutely priceless.