Cryopreservation medium

Cryopreservation medium

A cryopreservation medium is a specialized solution formulated to protect cells, tissues, and other biological materials from damage during freezing, ultralow-temperature storage, and thawing. The medium serves multiple critical functions: it reduces or prevents lethal intracellular ice formation, moderates osmotic stress during the freeze–thaw cycle, and maintains cellular integrity and function upon recovery. Cryopreservation media are indispensable across basic research, biobanking, cell therapy manufacturing, and reproductive medicine.

Applications

Cryopreservation media are employed across a broad spectrum of biological and clinical applications.

Cell therapy manufacturing. Cryopreservation is central to the manufacturing of CAR-T cells, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and other advanced therapy medicinal products. Traditional formulations use 5–10% DMSO with human serum albumin or serum, while serum-free and animal-origin-free alternatives are increasingly preferred for regulatory compliance. A DMSO-free formulation using 10% glycerol and 2% betaine has been developed for T-cell preservation in cell therapy-relevant workflows.

Biobanking. Cryopreservation media enable the long-term storage of cells, tissues, and biological samples in biorepositories. 

Stem cell research. Human pluripotent stem cells, including embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells, are cryopreserved in defined, xeno-free media. Conventional methods use 10% DMSO with a slow cooling rate of 1°C per minute. Chemically defined formulations such as PSC Cryopreservation Medium are available for pluripotent stem cell applications.

Reproductive medicine. Cryopreservation media are essential for the preservation of sperm, oocytes, and embryos. Sucrose at 0.2–0.3 M is widely used as a cryoprotective agent (CPA) in media for human oocytes, improving post-thaw recovery. Vitrification protocols employ higher CPA concentrations for oocyte and embryo preservation.

Tissue banking. Cryopreservation media support the preservation of cartilage, bone, skin, and other tissues for transplantation and research. Tissue cryopreservation is more complex than cell cryopreservation due to diffusion barriers and heterogeneous cell populations.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Where can I find medium products on the Biovalley website?

medium products are available in this section and can be sorted by product families or sub-categories, such as Animal-Free, DMSO-Free, Xeno-free . You can browse the catalogue tree or use the search bar with a product name, catalogue reference, brand or supplier.

What types of products are available in the medium category?

The medium category brings together various product references, consumables, reagents, kits, instruments or laboratory solutions, depending on the relevant product family. The Animal-Free, Basic medium, DMSO-Free sub-categories allow you to find the products that meet your needs more quickly.

How can I quickly find a medium product?

To find a medium product, use the search function by name, product code, supplier, brand or sub-category. You can also browse the product families listed on the page to identify an available product code, an alternative or an equivalent product.

Does Biovalley stock several product codes in the medium category?

Yes, Biovalley distributes several product references in the medium category, sourced from specialist suppliers. Depending on the product family, references may vary in terms of format, packaging, brand, supplier, technical specifications or availability.

Can I request a quote for medium products?

Yes, you can request a quote for medium products from the product page or by contacting Biovalley (info@biovalley.fr). To help us process your enquiry, please provide, where possible, the product name, catalogue reference, required quantity, the supplier or brand you are looking for, and the country of delivery.

How can I find out if a medium product is available to order?

The availability of a medium product depends on the product code, supplier, packaging and country of delivery. For up-to-date information, please check the product details page or contact Biovalley with the product code or name of the product you are looking for.

What should I do if I cannot find the medium product I am looking for?

If the medium product you are looking for does not appear in the catalogue, please contact Biovalley with the available information: product name, reference number, supplier, brand, format or packaging. The team will be able to search for the reference number within its network of suppliers or suggest an available alternative.

Are all medium products available under the same terms and conditions?

No. Ordering, delivery, storage and documentation conditions may vary depending on the product type, the supplier and the applicable regulations. Certain product codes may require specific approval, specialised transport, a safety data sheet or additional information prior to ordering.