Environmental monitoring for biobanks & biorepositories
Every sample, from intake to research, under continuous watch.
Biological samples move through five critical stages from intake to long-term preservation. XiltriX maps the whole journey, watches the freezers, LN₂ tanks, and critical rooms at every stage, and escalates deviations to your own team before they become losses.
Protecting invaluable samples, for generations to come.
A biobank or biorepository depends on tightly controlled conditions from the first sample collection to long-term cryogenic preservation. The sector card below maps the operational journey in five stages: the key processes, the rooms, the equipment that must stay within range, the environmental parameters to watch, the standards that apply, and where XiltriX adds value. It is the same map our engineers use when designing a monitoring system for a biobank.
Five stages, one monitoring map.
Select a stage to see the processes, locations, equipment, parameters, standards and XiltriX value for that stage.
Sample intake & processing
Key processes
- Sample intake & accessioning
- Processing & aliquoting
- Quality control testing
- Temporary storage
Locations
- Sample collection sites
- Processing laboratories
- Biobank facilities
- Quarantine areas
Assets to monitor
- Refrigerators (2-8°C)
- Centrifuges & sample processors
- Incubators (CO₂/O₂)
- Short-term freezers (−20°C)
Environmental parameters
- Temperature
- Humidity
- CO₂ / O₂
- Differential pressure
Compliance & standards
- GCP | GMP | GLP
- Sample integrity
- SOPs & documentation
- Chain of custody
XiltriX value
- Early warning for samples
- Real-time monitoring & alerts
- Integrates with LIMS via REST API
- Audit-ready documentation
Long-term storage
Key processes
- Cryogenic storage management
- LN₂ auto-fill & supply
- Inventory management
- Controlled access & security
Locations
- Cryogenic storage rooms
- Ultra-low freezer rooms
- LN₂ tank areas
- Secure storage facilities
Assets to monitor
- Ultra-low freezers (≤ −80°C)
- LN₂ tanks (vapour phase)
- LN₂ supply tanks & auto-fill
- Backup power & alarm systems
Environmental parameters
- Temperature (down to −196°C)
- LN₂ level & fill cycles
- Supply tank pressure
- Door status
Compliance & standards
- GMP | GCP | GLP
- Validated monitoring
- Calibration & qualification
- Data integrity (ALCOA+)
XiltriX value
- Validated monitoring (incl. LN₂)
- Auto-fill: level, pressure, fill cycles
- Closed valves flagged early
- Minimises sample loss risk
Inventory management
Key processes
- Sample tracking & traceability
- Location & condition monitoring
- Data management
- Audit & compliance reporting
Locations
- Repository storage areas
- Automated storage systems
- Data management rooms
- Restricted access zones
Assets to monitor
- Automated storage systems
- Sample storage freezers
- Robotics & handling equipment
- Environmental rooms
Environmental parameters
- Temperature
- Humidity
- Power status
- Door status
Compliance & standards
- GMP | GCP | GLP
- Traceability
- Audit trail & reporting
- Deviation management
XiltriX value
- Multi-site visibility & control
- Centralised dashboards
- Traceability & compliance
- IT-grade sample system links
Research & distribution
Key processes
- Sample retrieval & preparation
- Packaging & shipping
- In-transit monitoring (via partners)
- Receipt & verification
Locations
- Shipping/receiving areas
- Packaging laboratories
- Quarantine & validation areas
- Partner sites (external)
Assets to monitor
- Transport containers (dry ice/LN₂)
- Shippers with data loggers
- Packaging stations
- Dock doors & cold storage
Environmental parameters
- Temperature
- Location (GPS, via partners)
- Shock / vibration (via partners)
- Lid/box opening
Compliance & standards
- GDP | GCP | GLP
- Transport validation
- Excursion management
- Chain of custody
XiltriX value
- End-to-end visibility (site to site)
- In transit (via partners)
- Excursion alerts
- Monitored handover into facilities
Long-term preservation
Key processes
- Long-term storage management
- Continuous monitoring
- Deviation handling
- Data retention & reporting
Locations
- Long-term storage facilities
- Redundant storage sites
- Disaster recovery locations
- Off-site repositories
Assets to monitor
- LN₂ storage & supply tanks
- Ultra-low freezers
- Environmental storage rooms
- HVAC & backup systems
Environmental parameters
- Temperature
- Humidity
- LN₂ level & pressure
- Room T/RH/pressure
Compliance & standards
- GMP | GCP | GLP
- Long-term stability
- Continuous monitoring
- Audit & inspection readiness
XiltriX value
- Long-term stability monitoring
- Unattended storage covered
- Supports research continuity
- Reduces operational risk
Beyond monitoring.
The monitoring system is only part of the answer. XiltriX adds the IT and validation expertise that regulated biobanks need.
IT expertise
SSO with Active Directory, ISO 27001, full encryption, and a REST API that connects to LIMS, BMS and EMS.
Consultancy and validation
Risk inventory, URS and validation support (IQ/OQ), from design to inspection.
Visualisation, built in
Zoomable floor plans and live dashboards on any device, with wall screens built into your lab.
Proven where irreplaceable samples are on the line.
Proven since 1987
No customer has lost irreplaceable material because our monitoring failed.
24/7 technical support
The monitoring chain is watched around the clock. Alarms escalate to your own on-call team.
Built for GxP
GMP, GCP and GLP: validated monitoring, audit-ready, with data integrity you can prove.
XiltriX detects, alerts and escalates through your own configured on-call contacts. Your team responds to alarms; the XiltriX 24/7 team keeps the monitoring system itself healthy.
Take the sector card with you.
The printable card summarises the five stages, the parameters and the standards on one page. Share it with your quality team or bring it to your next supplier review.
Biobanks & biorepositories: monitoring the sample lifecycle
Which parameters must be monitored in a biorepository?
Key parameters are temperature in refrigerators (2-8°C), freezers (-20°C, -80°C) and cryogenic storage (down to -196°C); LN₂ level, pressure, and fill cycles; room conditions like humidity and differential pressure; and door and power status.
Which standards and regulations apply to biobank monitoring?
Biobanks operate under GxP, including GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice), GCP (Good Clinical Practice), and GLP (Good Laboratory Practice). Monitoring must support data integrity (ALCOA+), chain of custody, and provide a full audit trail for inspections.
How is cryogenic storage in liquid nitrogen monitored for biobanks?
Independent sensors monitor the LN₂ level, tank pressure, and the frequency and duration of automatic fills. This is crucial as it operates independently from the tank's own controls, allowing it to detect failures like a closed valve on a supply line or an empty bulk tank.
Does XiltriX respond to alarms in our biorepository?
No. XiltriX detects, alerts and escalates through your own configured on-call contacts, and your team decides who responds. The XiltriX 24/7 team is available when the monitoring system itself has a technical issue.
Ready to protect your samples for the future?
Tell us about your facility and the equipment you cannot afford to lose. We will map the monitoring points with you.