Modeling of cryopreservation pathway operation at an aquatic biomedical stock center for zebrafish

Abstract

Aquatic biomedical model organisms play a substantial role in advancing our understanding of human health, however, comparably little work has been directed towards developing dependable, high-throughput storage programs for valuable genetic resources. The Zebrafish International Resource Center (ZIRC) has developed a standardized cryopreservation pathway and stored thousands of genetic lines in their repository for use by the biomedical research community. This has yet to be replicated in other facilities, and an overall repository-level pathway has never been analyzed for aquatic species. To encourage repository development for other biomedical models and to improve the ZIRC storage process and system, this study used discrete-event simulation modeling to systematically analyze the cryopreservation pathway for efficiency, and to identify improvements. The models reflected “real-world” working conditions and were used to simulate key outputs, such as production capacity over time (throughput) and steps in the process that limit production (bottlenecks). With these models, recommendations were identified to eliminate waiting times and increase efficiency. These included following proper husbandry protocols because male quality significantly affected production time, and the use of part-time operators to assist with steps that had longer Waiting Times (i.e., time samples spent in a queue) to increase production capacity. Simulation process modeling is a powerful tool that can improve the operations of existing repositories. It can also support repository development at other biomedical stock centers, and at other facilities devoted to aquatic species such as research, conservation, and aquaculture production hatcheries.