Abstract: Methods and products relating the preservation of cultured mammalian epithelial or mesenchymal cells are provided. The methods involve the pre-treatment of epithelial cells with a solution containing a cryoprotectant amount of monosaccharides and/or disaccharides. The treated cells then are frozen, dried or freeze-dried in a minimum volume of solution and stored for later use. The invention avoids the use of materials that must be washed away from the preserved tissue prior to application of the tissue to a wound bed. The invention also permits the storage of epithelial tissue in a dry state.

Abstract: Methods and products relating the preservation of cultured mammalian epithelial or mesenchymal cells are provided. The methods involve the pre-treatment of epithelial cells with a solution containing a cryoprotectant amount of monosaccharides and/or disaccharides. The treated cells then are frozen, dried or freeze-dried in a minimum volume of solution and stored for later use. The invention avoids the use of materials that must be washed away from the preserved tissue prior to application of the tissue to a wound bed. The invention also permits the storage of epithelial tissue in a dry state.

Abstract: Methods of cryopreserving sheets of cultured epithelial cells are disclosed. The sheets of cultured epithelial cells are used for wound repair. The invention permits the use of preserved tissue without the need to wash away cryopreservation components. The sheets are frozen in contact with a cryoprotectant solution containing a cryoprotectant such as a monosaccharide or a disaccharide.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for promoting healing of wounds which result from corneal resurfacing procedures, e.g. from laser surgery to alter refractive of the eye. The methods involve the application of a sheet of cultured epithelial cells to the laser corneal resurfacing wound of a subject in need of such treatment. The methods promote faster healing of corneal resurfacing wounds relative to prior art methods of healing such wounds. The invention also provides corneal wound healing devices having the shape and dimensions of a contact lens.

Abstract: Methods and products relating the preservation of cultured mammalian epithelial or mesenchymal cells are provided. The methods involve the pre-treatment of epithelial cells with a solution containing a cryoprotectant amount of monosaccharides and/or disaccharides. The treated cells then are frozen, dried or freeze-dried in a minimum volume of solution and stored for later use. The invention avoids the use of materials that must be washed away from the preserved tissue prior to application of the tissue to a wound bed. The invention also permits the storage of epithelial tissue in a dry state.