Volume reduced processing method Step one Upon arrival at our laboratory, the cord blood bag is cleaned and placed into a sterile clean room Step two The cord blood is weighed and a small volume is removed, this is used for cell counting. Step three The cord blood is placed into a centrifuge which separates the cord blood into layers of plasma, stem cells and red blood cells. Step four Two vials of plasma are then stored within vapour phase nitrogen storage tank at -150 degrees. Step five A small volume is taken and a cell count performed. Step six A preservative; cryoprotectant, is added to the sample and the cryobag is placed into a protective metal storage container. Step seven The sample is then cooled to -150 degrees using a controlled rate freezer. Step eight The sample is placed into a vapour phase nitrogen tank to be stored for 25 years.