Using what has been learned from nature, it has become possible to stabilize biological
structures, including intact cells, in the dry state. Stabilization of cells or tissues in the dried
state is of considerable practical significance, as is described in this review. The need for
stabilization of cells in the dried state is particularly urgent in bloodbanks, where proper
storage of blood cells (platelets and erythrocytes) is still a major problem. Human blood
platelets are stored in blood banks for 5 days, after which they are discarded according to …