Bringing Your Cells Back to Life Safely
Thawing stem cells is one of the most important steps in the entire cell-banking process. After spending extended time preserved below –196°C, the way cells are brought back to liquid form plays a major role in how many remain healthy and intact.
Thawing: Why Speed Matters
Unlike the controlled, gradual freezing process, thawing must be done rapidly. The standard method uses a controlled environment to quickly and evenly bring the cell vials to the proper temperature.
The goals during thawing are to avoid issues that can damage the cells, including:
- Uneven thawing or cold spots, which can cause parts of the solution to refreeze (recrystallize) and puncture the cells.
- Slow thawing increases the chance of new ice crystals forming and rupturing cell membranes.
- Prolonged exposure to liquid cryoprotectants can be harmful once the sample is no longer frozen.
ACT’s rapid, controlled thawing protocol minimizes these risks and supports a higher recovery of healthy, intact cells.
Precision and Protocol in the ACT Lab
ACT’s trained technicians follow strict, validated procedures that control temperature, timing, and handling during every moment of thawing. Each sample is monitored individually to maximize the recovery of viable cells.
Once thawed, samples undergo:
- Immediate quality checks (viability %, cell count, and other indicators)
- Multiple washing stepsto remove residual cryoprotectants
- Sterile preparation for shipment using the same high standards maintained throughout processing and storage
These steps allow ACT to maintain extremely high cell viability for up to 72 hours once the cells leave the lab.
Why High Viability Matters
Viability measures the proportion of live stem cells in each dose. The more live cells present, the greater the potency of the cells.
ACT’s precise thawing and preparation protocols are designed to help preserve the highest number of healthy, intact cells possible.
ACT Ensures Safe, Reliable Thawing for Clients and Physicians
ACT takes care of the thawing process for our clients and their physicians, using rigorous, lab-controlled protocols to maximize cell viability. Stem cells cannot simply be thawed at room temperature, and most doctors’ offices aren’t equipped like a lab to safely perform this process.
By thawing cells at ACT, we remove steps that clinics would otherwise have to handle themselves. This reduces the potential for human error, helps maintain the highest possible cell viability, and minimizes the risk of contamination, ensuring cells are ready for clinical use with confidence.
Conclusion
Thawing is the controlled process of bringing your cells out of deep-frozen storage and back into a usable form. The quality of this process directly influences the integrity and potential usefulness of your cells, and ACT follows detailed, validated procedures to help ensure the best possible recovery.
