What process is typically used for long-term tissue preservation?

Cryopreservation in liquid nitrogen is a widely utilized method for long-term tissue preservation due to its effectiveness in maintaining the viability and functionality of biological tissues and cells. This process involves cooling biological samples to extremely low temperatures, typically around -196°C, which significantly slows down metabolic and chemical processes. At these temperatures, cellular activity is almost halted, reducing the risk of ice crystal formation that can damage cellular structures.

Utilizing liquid nitrogen for cryopreservation ensures that tissues can be stored for extended periods without significant degradation, allowing them to be thawed and used later for various applications, such as transplantation or research. The ultra-low temperatures prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi, contributing to the sterility of the preserved samples.

While other methods exist, such as lyophilization, which can be useful for certain types of samples, cryopreservation is specifically advantageous for preserving the full integrity of living tissues and cells, making it the preferred choice in many biobanking and tissue banking settings.