9.5. Cryo-Plate Techniques

The cryo-plates techniques were developed by Yamamoto et al. [105] and Niino et al. [106], who adapted the modified vitrification method to provide stability and greater tolerance of the explant to sudden changes in temperature. The concept of the techniques is based on aluminum microplates containing several oval wells. The explants attached to the cryo-plates with alginate solution are then dehydrated. The V-cryo-plate is based on PVS dehydration, while the D-cryo-plate method is based on air dehydration in the laminar flow chamber for a controlled time. The techniques facilitate the handling of cryopreservation and rewarming procedures and minimize the risk of tiny explants loss and their mechanical injury [107,108,109].