Abstract: A nutritional medium for enabling the growth, maintenance and transport of cells in a container of virtually any size or shape, including a substantially flat, multi-well plastic plate. The nutritional medium is capable of assuming a substantially liquid state above a first temperature and a substantially solid state below a second temperature. Both the first and second temperatures are generally compatible with the survival of the cells in the container. The cells are covered with the medium while the medium is in a substantially liquid state, and the temperature of the medium is then reduced to a temperature at which the medium assumes a substantially solid state. The medium is maintained in a substantially solid state while the cells are transported. Upon arrival at the end user, the temperature of the medium is increased to a temperature at which the medium assumes a substantially liquid state. Following a change to fresh maintenance medium, the cells in the container are ready for immediate use.