Disclosed is a method for storing biological material, comprising loading a liquid biological sample or biological material onto a matrix comprised of a material selected from polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, agarose, poly-N-vinylacetamide, poly(4-vinylpyridine), polyphenylene oxide, crosslinked acrylamide, polymethacrylate, polyactide, hydroxymethacrylate copolymer, and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate, the matrix material further including a stabilizing agent, wherein the matrix material is capable of absorbing, adsorbing or entrapping the biological sample and wherein the material dissolves in a solvent that allows at least 50 percent recovery of the dried sample after hydration, rehydration or other solvent reconstitution of the sample.
