The cryopreservation of biological samples is hindered by ice formation and the need to maintain samples under cryogenic conditions during storage and transportation. Silicification offers a simple method for preserving life within refractory, amorphous silicon dioxide, which is analogous to vitreous ice but does not melt and thereby avoids cold-chain issues.
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Guo, S., Brinker, C.J. & Zhu, W. Freezing life within refractory, amorphous silicon dioxide. Nat Rev Bioeng 2, 282–283 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44222-024-00173-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s44222-024-00173-6