ABSTRACT
Biomaterials-i.e., proteins, cells, tissues, and organs-are used daily to preserve life. Uses such as blood transfusions, artificial insemination, burn repair, transplantation, and pharmaceuticals rely on their availability. Natural materials, however, are labile and often deteriorate over time. To counter this effect, preservation procedures for retarding deterioration rates have been developed. Furthermore, since each biomaterial is characterized by unique compositional and physical complexities, a variety of storage techniques exists.
