Impact of long-term deep freeze storage on human leukocytes viability & DNA extraction: Insights from a resource-limited biorepository

This study examined the effects of cryopreservation at -80°C, without cryoprotectants, on leukocyte viability in blood samples over different time intervals. Leukocytes have a lifespan of approximately 20 days at 4°C. They constitute about 1% of blood, and their integrity is vital for DNA and RNA extraction in biobanking. Our findings demonstrate that leukocytes remain viable for up to one year at -80°C, making them suitable for molecular biology studies. This research supports the long-term storage of blood samples for future biomedical research.