The theme of this 14th International Symposium on Blood Transfusion is closely related to the work and scientific contributions of the Dutch cryobiology pioneer Dr. Herman W. Krijnen of the Dutch Red Cross Central Laboratory. Dr. Krijnen was known and respected in the national and interna­ tional blood transfusion community as an extremely competent scientist and a beloved and admired colleague. Dr. Krijnen was intentionally honoured with the invitation to open this symposium on cryopreservation and low temperature biology in blood transfusion and be the guest of honour at this event. Unfortunately, Dr. Krijnen suddenly died on the first of June 1989. In honour and mem­ ory of Dr. Krijnen this symposium will therefore be dedicated to him. Since the lOth International Symposium on Blood Transfusion in 1985 highlighted the theme of "Future developments in blood banking", major changes have occurred in the blood banking world. Most of these changes were forced upon the Blood Banks by the fear of spreading AIDS through contaminated donations. This not only led to the wide­ spread testing of blood, but also to a more appropriate counselling of the community and the blood donors in specific. Additionally, virus inacti­ vation techniques were introduced for those components derived from multiple donations and intended for a regular transfusion in haemophi­ lia patients and others.

I. Principles and fundamentals.- Metabolism and physiology of cells at low temperatures.- Freezing and thawing plasma.- Cell and cell constituent freeze-drying: fundamentals and principles.- Freezing versus vitrification; basic principles.- Ice nucleation and growth in vitrifiable solutions.- Liposomes as a model system for the cryopreservation of peripheral blood cells.- Discussion.- II. Low temperature biology aspects.- Storage media for red cells.- Prolonged storage of adult and newborn red cells.- Extended storage of (washed) red cells at 4°C.- Storage of platelet concentrates in plasma-free synthetic media.- Separation and purification of cold insoluble globulines.- New solution for organ preservation.- Discussion.- III Cryopreservation aspects.- Platelet freezing.- Platelet freezing: the effect of some additives.- Inexpensive method for cryopreservation of human peripheral blood lymphocytes.- Cryopreservation of human stem cells.- Preservation and storage of human blood plasma proteins.- Residual water content in a lyophilized, heated coagulation factor concentrate.- Discussion.- IV. Advances and clinical applications.- Clinical application of cryopreserved stem cells and platelets in a bone marrow transplant program.- Clinical efficacy of cryopreserved bone.- Vitrification as an approach to organ cryopreservation: past, present, and future.- Transfusion, transplantation and the immunological revolution.- Discussion.