The CLASS Laboratory maintains a freezer facility with more than 2,000 square feet of space, fitted with heavy duty power outlets, additional airconditioning, gas-powered back-up generator, and alarm systems for up to 40 large, ultra-low temperature (-80°C) chest freezers for extended sample storage.

    Each -80°C chest freezer is supported by a built-in audible alarm; an external, automatic cut-over; and by an independent, external, Gordinier Electronics model 3200 temperature monitoring system, which is directly wired into a commercial 24/7 security service.

    The contents of each freezer are tracked down to the sample location (freezer-rack-box-row-column) detail level in industry standard SQL databases hosted on our database and server clusters.

    This sample location information is accessible from the Internet via our secure web site and is part of a comprehensive CLASS Laboratory developed sample handling system that tracks each sample continuously. Starting with the database driven creation of custom sample labels containing unique barcode information, this system tracks individual samples through: kit production, distribution to study sites, collection of site generated sample histories and aliquoting records, shipments and receipt of samples at the laboratory, and cryogenic storage.