Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for increasing the survival of nucleated mammalian cells following drying and rehydration. The methods include introducing a disaccharide such as trehalose into said cells, optionally including heat shock proteins, apoptosis inhibitors, and arbutin, drying said cells, and rehydrating them. The invention further provides nucleated mammalian cells that have increased capacity to survive, divide and, in some cases, differentiate, following drying and rehydration. The cells comprise a disaccharide and one or more of the following: a heat shock protein, an apoptosis inhibitor, and arbutin.

Abstract: A method for loading a biological sample comprising loading a biological sample with a solute by fluid phase endocytosis to produce an internally loaded biological sample. Within the biological sample a first matter (e.g., a vesicle) having the solute fuses with a second matter (e.g., a lysosome) to produce a fused matter containing the solute. Loading of the biological sample includes transferring the solute from the fused matter into cytoplasm within the biological sample.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing a biological material (e.g., blood platelets, cells, etc.) comprising treating a biological material with an amphiphilic agent (e.g., an amphiphilic compound, such as a surfactant, or pluronic or arbutin) to stabilize the biological material. At least one carbohydrate (e.g., trehalose or a trehalose-sucrose mixture) may be combined with the amphiphilic agent for treating the biological material. The treated biological material may be dehydrated. A biological material produced in accordance with the method for treating the biological material.

Abstract: A method for loading a biological sample comprising loading a biological sample with a solute and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) by fluid phase endocytosis to produce an internally loaded biological sample. A dehydrated composition is provided that includes dried biological samples containing dimethylsulfoxide and a solute. A method for increasing the survival of biological samples comprising providing biological samples, loading the biological samples with a carbohydrate and dimethylsulfoxide to produce loaded biological samples, and drying (e.g., air drying or vacuum drying) the loaded biological samples while maintaining a residual water content in the biological samples of at least about 0.01 gram water per gram of dry weight of biological samples to increase survival of the biological samples upon rehydrating.

Abstract: A method for loading a biological sample comprising loading a biological sample with a solute by fluid phase endocytosis to produce an internally loaded biological sample. Within the biological sample a first matter (e.g., a vesicle) having the solute fuses with a second matter (e.g., a lysosome) to produce a fused matter containing the solute. Loading of the biological sample includes transferring the solute from the fused matter into cytoplasm within the biological sample.

Abstract: A dehydrated composition is provided that includes freeze-dried eukaryotic cells. The eukaryotic cells are loaded with an oligosaccharide (e.g., trehalose) which preserves biological properties during freeze-drying and rehydration. The oligosaccharide loading is conducted at a temperature of from greater than about 25° C. to less than about 50° C., more preferably at about 35° C., with the loading solution having the oligosaccharide in an amount from about 10 mM to about 100 mM. These freeze-dried eukaryotic cells are rehydratable. A process for preserving and/or increasing the survival of dehydrated eukaryotic cells, including storing dehydrated eukaryotic cells having a residual water content greater than about 0.15 gram of water per gram of dry weight eukaryotic cells.