Cryoprotective aqueous solutions useful for the preservation of in vitro cultured epithelial cells.

Cryoprotective solutions in which the liquid-solid phase transition occurs without remarkable volume increases are described. The compositions of the invention, in addition to the usual components necessary for the growth and mantainance of biological material, comprise: a) polyethylene glycols (PEG) having molecular weight not higher than 20 kD; b) at least one cross-linking agent selected from polyols, mono- or oligosaccharides, polyethylene glycols having molecular weight lower than 1 kD.