Development of efficient and reliable germplasm repositories is critical for preservation of genetic resources of aquatic model organisms that are vital to aquaculture, biomedical research, conservation, and wild fisheries. Community participation in establishment of sperm repositories is the most efficient strategy to ensure preservation and distribution of valuable lines. However, the most significant barrier in repository development is the lack of cryopreservation capability and reproducibility across the research community, posing great risks of losing advances developed from billions of research dollars. 

The emergence of open hardware has fueled a new movement across biomedical research communities. With the increasing accessibility of consumer-level 3-D printers, open hardware devices for cryopreservation can be designed, and the files distributed to community members who can use them reliably freeze and evaluate samples in a standardized and reproducible way. 

To assist utilization of these new technologies, the Aquatic Germplasm and Genetic Resources Center (www.aggrc.com) hosts a short (30-min) workshop that includes hands-on activities, demonstrations, interactions with 3-D printers, challenges, and interesting topics, such as 3-D printing, open hardware, open technology, cryopreservation, and genetic resources.