Overview
A leading UK university biobank required a robust, compliant, and scalable monitoring solution to safeguard thousands of high-value biological samples stored at –80 °C and below. With increasing regulatory scrutiny, growing sample volumes, and a need for reliable alarms and audit trails, the university selected GENII low-temperature monitoring from Eltek Data Loggers, part of the Grant Instruments group.
The result was a validated, future-proof monitoring platform that met both technical and regulatory demands while remaining simple for laboratory staff to operate.
The Challenge
The university biobank supports multiple research groups across genomics, cell therapy, and translational medicine.
Its storage estate included:
- –80 °C ULT freezers
- Cryogenic vapour-phase storage
- Backup and contingency freezers
- Multiple rooms and buildings across campus
Key challenges included:
- Risk of sample loss due to freezer failure or temperature excursions
- Manual checks that were time-consuming and not fully auditable
- Increasing regulatory expectations around data integrity and traceability
- The need for a scalable system to support future biobank expansion
The Solution: GENII Low-Temperature Monitoring
The university deployed GENII loggers across its low-temperature storage estate, creating a continuous, automated monitoring environment.
Technical Implementation
- High-accuracy low-temperature probes suitable for –80 °C environments
- Continuous logging with no data gaps, even during network interruptions
- Local data buffering to protect against power or communication outages
- Centralised software for real-time visibility across all freezers
- Configurable multi-stage alarms (email and SMS) for early intervention
The system was installed with minimal disruption, allowing laboratories to remain operational throughout deployment.
Regulatory & Compliance Alignment
A major driver for the project was regulatory confidence. GENII supported the university’s compliance framework by providing:
- Full audit trails for temperature data
- Time-stamped, non-editable records aligned with data integrity principles
- Support for GxP-aligned workflows, including deviation investigation
- Evidence for audits and inspections without reliance on manual logs
This gave the biobank team confidence that monitoring data would stand up to internal governance reviews and external inspections.
Why the University Chose Eltek & GENII
The decision was not based on hardware alone. Key differentiators included:
Proven Life-Science Expertise
Eltek’s long-standing focus on biobanks, laboratories, and regulated environments gave the university confidence that the solution was designed for real-world research conditions.
Reliability at Low Temperatures
GENII’s performance in –80 °C environments was critical, ensuring accuracy and stability where many generic monitoring systems struggle.
Scalable Architecture
The system allows the university to: Add new freezers without redesign Expand into additional buildings Integrate future monitoring requirements
Support & Partnership
The university valued UK-based technical support, clear documentation, and a collaborative approach during system design and rollout.
Outcomes & Benefits
Since deployment, the university biobank has achieved:
- Reduced risk of sample loss through early-warning alarms
- Improved operational efficiency by eliminating manual checks
- Greater confidence during audits and reviews
- A monitoring platform that can grow with future research programmes
Most importantly, researchers now trust that their samples are continuously protected, allowing them to focus on science rather than infrastructure risk.
Conclusion
For regulated biobanks operating at ultra-low temperatures, monitoring is mission critical. By selecting GENII from Eltek, this university implemented a solution that balances technical excellence, regulatory confidence, and long-term scalability - protecting irreplaceable samples today and into the future.
