Establishing germplasm repositories for aquatic species on a global scale is challenging, largely due to the lack of standardized solutions. The Aquatic Germplasm and Genetic Resources Center (AGGRC, www.aggrc.com) launched its Fabrication and Design Program to develop open-source hardware, addressing the specific needs of aquatic species and supporting global communities to establish germplasm repositories. Conventional cryopreservation relies on costly commercial programmable freezers, often beyond the reach of resource-limited communities. To address this, a 3-D printable Positional Cooling Platform Device (“CryoKit”) was developed to enable floating samples on liquid nitrogen and achieving multiple, reproducible cooling rates. Field-based cryopreservation, however, presents additional challenges as no commercial products are available. The Shipping Dewar Positional Cooling Device (“Cajun Ejector”) was developed to address this, providing a 3-D printable, standardizable device for using commercial nitrogen vapor shipping dewars. These affordable solutions make cryopreservation accessible to a broader range of users.
The AGGRC team has also developed a series of open hardware that can support cryopreservation, animal care, sample collection and processing, and education for STEM programs. By integrating innovative tools with comprehensive support, a holistic approach can be created for a community effort in safeguarding valuable genetic resources of aquatic species. In addition, educational initiatives can foster awareness and inspire new generations of advances, empowering communities to take an active role in safeguarding aquatic species.