A cryopreservation device (60) includes an adaptor (65) mounted to a port of a container (62) for receiving and storing a liquid sample. The adaptor includes a first tubular branch (67) closed by a needle septum (72), and a second tubular branch(69) including a flexible tube (74) terminating in a needle septum (75). The container is initially at below-atmospheric pressure. In use, the sample is injected through the septum in the second branch. The flexible tube is then heat sealed and cut. The sealed container may then be subject to a cryopreservation protocol. After thawing, the sample liquid may be withdrawn by a needle puncturing the septum in the first branch. An auto-nucleating device including a hollow tube containing a crystalline cholesterol matrix therein, wherein the ends of the tube are closed by a membrane impermeable to the cholesterol but permeable to liquids, may be introduced into the container and provides a site for ice nucleation during freezing of the liquid sample within the container.
