Abstract: Methods for cryopreservation of biological samples are provided. The biological samples are sub-millimeter or millimeter scale biological materials. The biological samples are pancreatic islets and stem cell derived islets. Methods for cryopreservation of islets using cryomesh and multi-step loading and unloading of CPA cocktails are provided. Methods disclosed result in vitrified and rewarmed islets with high recovery, viability and functionality. Methods are scalable for high throughput production of large amounts of vitrified and rewarmed islets for use in therapeutic transplantation.

Abstract: A method of preserving tissue includes loading the tissue with a solution with a cryoprotective agent and susceptor particles; freezing the tissue; thawing the tissue; and after freezing and thawing, further processing the tissue. Further processing may include slicing the tissue or digesting the tissue and recovering isolated cells from the digested tissue. The tissue may include at least a portion of an organ. The tissue may include a whole organ. The loading of the solution may be done via the vasculature of the organ. The tissue may be thawed using inductive heating. The susceptor particles may include nanoparticles.