Storage of putative stem/progenitor cells is also an attractive research target in tissue engineering. Collection of cells for tissue engineering is less invasive than conventional tissue or organ transplantation. However, repetitive collection of cells can stress patients. If the stem/progenitor cells could be stored, it is possible that they could be repeatedly used for future therapy, reducing the burden and the cost to patients. The concept of banking stem/progenitor cells in storage is not new. Stem/progenitor cell populations decrease in size with age (D'Ippolito et al., 1999; Zhou et al., 2008). If the stem/progenitor cells were harvested at an early age and the cells could be stored,.
