Concept · Stem Cell

Cryopreservation

Also known as: cryobanking

Published Sep 14, 2026Updated Nov 12, 2026

Definition

Cryopreservation is cooling and storing cells, tissues or organs at very low or freezing temperatures so they can be used later.

Quick answer

Can SVF be frozen and stored (cryopreserved)?

Yes. SVF can be cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen with cryoprotectants. Freezing and thawing reduce the number of living cells; a 2019 study reported lower cell counts after cryopreservation but preserved stem cell potency in surviving cells, and a 2026 systematic review examined viability effects across studies. Viability after thaw should be measured before clinical use.

Verified Sep 15, 2026

Key facts

Predicate	Value	Source
Typical long-term storage temperature	About −196 °C (liquid nitrogen) °C	[4]
Main methods	Slow freezing (about 1 °C/min, low cryoprotectant concentration) and vitrification (40–60% cryoprotectant, rapid cooling, no ice crystals)	[4]
Common cryoprotective agents	DMSO, glycerol, and polymers such as polyethylene glycol and hydroxyethyl starch	[4]
Main causes of freezing injury	Ice forming inside cells (fast cooling) and osmotic stress from concentrated solutes (slow cooling)	[4]
Clinical applications	Oocytes and embryos, sperm, stem cells (embryonic, mesenchymal, hematopoietic), hepatocytes, blood products and bone marrow	[4]
Glycerol described as a cryoprotectant	1949, by Polge, Smith and Parkes (sperm revived after freezing with glycerol)	[5]
First cryopreserved mammalian embryos producing offspring	1972, mouse embryos frozen to −196 °C and −269 °C (Whittingham, Leibo and Mazur)	[5]
US storage requirements for HCT/Ps	21 CFR 1271.260: storage at an appropriate temperature, set temperature limits, record temperatures, set expiration dates where appropriate, and document corrective actionas of Sep 18, 2026	[6]
UK storage limit for eggs, sperm and embryos	Up to 55 years, with patients re-consenting every 10 years (in force since 1 July 2022) yearsas of Jul 1, 2022	[7]
Definition (NCI)	Cooling and storing cells, tissues or organs at very low or freezing temperatures to save them for future use	[1]
Korea embryo storage period (Bioethics and Safety Act)	5 years, or less if the consent-giver sets a shorter period; embryos not used for research after the period must be discarded yearsas of May 2, 2006	[8]
Effect on SVF (study title finding)	A 2019 study reported that cryopreservation reduces SVF cell counts but not the stem cell potency of surviving cells	[2]
Systematic review	A 2026 systematic review examined effects of cryopreservation on SVF viability in human adipose tissue	[3]

Overview

Cryopreservation is a way of keeping organelles, cells, tissues and other biological material alive for later use by cooling them to very low temperatures. Long-term storage usually takes place in liquid nitrogen at about −196 °C. The two main methods are slow freezing, which cools at about 1 °C per minute with low levels of cryoprotective agents such as DMSO or glycerol, and vitrification, which uses high cryoprotectant levels and rapid cooling to form a glass-like solid without ice crystals. Cells can be damaged by ice forming inside them and by osmotic stress, so survival after thawing varies. It is used for sperm, oocytes and embryos, stem cells, hepatocytes and blood products. Storage is regulated: US tissue rules require controlled, recorded storage temperatures, and UK law limits storage time for eggs, sperm and embryos. Readers should check the protocol, post-thaw viability data and local consent and storage-time rules.

Related questions

Can SVF be frozen and stored (cryopreserved)?Yes. SVF can be cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen with cryoprotectants. Freezing and thawing reduce the number of living cells; a 2019 study reported lower cell counts after cryopreservation but preserved stem cell potency in surviving cells, and a 2026 systematic review examined viability effects across studies. Viability after thaw should be measured before clinical use.What is cell cryopreservation?Cell cryopreservation is the process of cooling and storing cells, tissues or organs at very low or freezing temperatures so they can be saved for future use. Cells are mixed with a cryoprotectant, cooled in a controlled way and kept in liquid nitrogen. Some cells do not survive freezing and thawing, so viability is tested afterwards.How long can stem cells be stored?Cells stored properly in liquid nitrogen can remain viable for many years, and cord blood banks report successful use after more than a decade. Storage time matters less than the quality of freezing, uninterrupted temperature control and documentation. For adipose SVF specifically, long-term data are limited, so ask the bank for its own thaw-viability results.세포 동결보존이란 무엇이며 어떤 원리로 세포를 장기간 보관하나요?세포 동결보존은 세포, 조직 또는 장기를 매우 낮은 온도나 동결 온도로 냉각해 보관하는 방법으로, 나중에 사용하기 위한 것입니다. 일반적으로 세포에 동결보호제를 섞고 정해진 속도로 냉각한 뒤 약 −196 °C의 액체질소(액상 또는 기상)에 보관합니다. 동결보존은 치료가 아니라 보관 기술입니다. 동결하고 해동하는 과정에서 살아남는 세포 수는 줄어들 수 있습니다.세포 동결보존 후 해동하면 세포 수와 기능은 어떻게 달라지나요?세포 동결보존에는 세포 손실이 따릅니다. 지방 유래 기질혈관분획(SVF)을 대상으로 한 2019년 연구에서는 동결보존 후 세포 수가 줄었습니다. 다만 살아남은 세포의 줄기세포 능력은 유지되었다고 보고했습니다. 2026년에는 동결보존이 SVF 생존율에 미치는 영향을 다룬 체계적 문헌고찰이 발표되었습니다. 결과는 프로토콜에 따라 달라질 수 있으므로 해동 후 생존율과 세포 수를 확인하는 것이 중요합니다.

ArticleCryopreservation (Cell Cryopreservation)ArticleCryopreservation

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SC301의원

SC301의원 (SC301 Clinic) is a plastic surgery clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, South Korea whose official site presents SVF (stromal vascular fraction) fat grafting for the breast and face, liposuction, lifting and cell banking as its main services.

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Evidence & claims

Official claims are statements by the provider; they are not verified by worldwiki unless marked otherwise.

Claim	Type	Evidence	Source
Cryopreservation reduces SVF cell counts but surviving cells retain stem cell potency. Single study; see 2026 systematic review for broader picture.	outcome	moderate	Cryopreservation of Stromal Vascular Fraction Cells Reduces Their Counts but Not Their Stem Cell Potency

References

Independent source ratio 100% (10/10)

Level A · 3Level B · 4Level C · 3

Level A · governmentNCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms: cryopreservation — National Cancer Institute (NCI) · accessed Nov 12, 2026 · Evidence page
Level B · academicCryopreservation of Stromal Vascular Fraction Cells Reduces Their Counts but Not Their Stem Cell Potency — Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open (2019) · accessed Nov 12, 2026 · Evidence page
Level B · academicEffects of Cryopreservation on Stromal Vascular Fraction Viability in Human Adipose Tissue: Insights from a Systematic Review — Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (2026) · accessed Nov 12, 2026 · Evidence page
Level B · journalCryopreservation and its clinical applications — Integrative Medicine Research (Jang TH et al.), via PubMed Central · accessed Nov 11, 2026 · Evidence page
Level C · academicCryopreservation | Embryo Project Encyclopedia — Arizona State University, Embryo Project Encyclopedia · accessed Nov 11, 2026 · Evidence page
Level B · academic21 CFR § 1271.260 - Storage — Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School (US Code of Federal Regulations text) · accessed Nov 11, 2026 · Evidence page
Level A · governmentNew law comes into force giving greater flexibility for fertility patients — Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (UK) · accessed Nov 11, 2026 · Evidence page
Level A · government보건복지부 - 생명윤리 및 안전에 관한 법률 제16조(배아의 보존기간) 법령해석 (안건번호 06-0054) — Ministry of Government Legislation, Republic of Korea (법제처) · accessed Nov 11, 2026 · Evidence page
Level C · organizationAbout Stem Cells — patient resource — International Society for Stem Cell Research · accessed Nov 12, 2026 · Evidence page
Level C · organizationISSCR Guidelines for Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation — International Society for Stem Cell Research · accessed Nov 12, 2026 · Evidence page

Change history

Initial publication · Sep 14, 2026