So they keep millions of dollars worth of samples in a single freezer in a single location?
The loss of the samples was an inevitability and regardless of who pulled the plug - a cleaner, a power cut or a faulty compressor they are solely responsible for the loss.
Assuming a cleaner would read a note attached to a freezer, given they no doubt have to see lab notes all over the place - and probably have instructions not to move or read the notes - is completely delusional.
IMO the blame falls squarely at the feet of the researchers and RPI and at worst the cleaning company should agree to terminate the contract (thus losing the $1.4 million per year deal they had).
I mean, looking at a site now that sells cryogenic freezers, only one model goes colder than -86C, and this was going down to less than -110C. this is expensive and specialized equipment. I understand not having a second one but they needed more safety and redundancy on this one.
The article mentions Fahrenheit (-112f), which means it was -80C, so the first one you found would have been "good enough". A quick google finds a -80C freezer for $14000 [0] a fraction of the $1million they've "lost".
While I agree RPI screwed the pooch on this one; I am surprised for $14k the damn power switch isnt under a locked panel/switch cover given what it is used for.
The loss of the samples was an inevitability and regardless of who pulled the plug - a cleaner, a power cut or a faulty compressor they are solely responsible for the loss.
Assuming a cleaner would read a note attached to a freezer, given they no doubt have to see lab notes all over the place - and probably have instructions not to move or read the notes - is completely delusional.
IMO the blame falls squarely at the feet of the researchers and RPI and at worst the cleaning company should agree to terminate the contract (thus losing the $1.4 million per year deal they had).