The umbilical blood cord being rich in stem cells needs to be preserved by means of a new technique called cryopreservation.

The process whereby whole tissues or cells are preserved by cooling at very low temperatures is known as Cryopreservation. Stem cell cryopreservation is a relatively new phenomenon; it is one way of ensuring the longevity of your child’s health.

There is definite thrill associated with becoming a parent. And the knowledge that your baby’s health is protected for life acts as gilt-edged security. This is done by banking the baby’s umbilical cord blood affluent with stem cells.

Stem cells are important as they can grow into tissues, even organs like the heart or liver. What is more, they have the awesome potential to revamp damaged tissues. Till date, over seventy diseases have been successfully treated with the help of stem cell stored in the cord blood. Research on stem cells has, by no means, abated. Scientists realizing their potential and worth are carrying out intensive research on their uses as well as ways preservation.

Before preserving stem cells, a biological test is carried out to eschew the possibility of deadly diseases like various types of Hepatitis or HIV. That done, the cord blood cells are now stored by means of the technique under discussion- Cryopreservation. This technique involves adding a cryopreservant that lets the blood freeze gradually. The blood is frozen to sub-zero degree temperatures so that biochemical reactions or any other dangerous biological that could cause cell death may be arrested. Typically, the cells are stored at temperatures as low as -196, – 156, or – 120 degrees centigrade.

Freezing stem cells through cryopreservation at such low temperatures is supposed to ensure their longevity. Let it be known, however, that scientists are still divided over the optimum temperatures as well as the efficacy of the cryopreservation technique itself. Clearly, advanced research is in order with regard to cryopreservation.