Surprising new combinations of previously-known and novel cryoprotectants are provided that yield superior recovery of function and viability of living systems after exposure to and removal from said systems. These and related combinations are useful for cryopreservation by vitrification, freezing, supercooling, freezing point depression, or cold storage. It is disclosed that, contrary to current opinion, ideal solutions for cryopreservation are those that vitrify 'poorly' (i.e., at higher rather than at lower concentrations). Contrary to expectation, by using relatively 'poor' vitrifiers, the water content of the solution is reduced at the concentration needed to vitrify, but the water availability within the solution is believed to be paradoxically increased, thereby increasing viability. A novel method for understanding and predicting non-specific cryoprotectant toxicity is provided based on a new definition of cryoprotectant 'concentration', which is the number of water molecules per polar group on penetrating cryoprotectants. Compositions are provided that vitrify at relatively high concentrations, yet surprisingly also devitrify slowly on warming. Databases of novel vitrification/devitrification and toxicity data are provided that allow the ordinary practitioner of the art to select specific solutions or obvious solution variants to meet the user's specific cryopreservation needs.
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