Dimethyl Sulfoxide (CH3)2SO or C2H6OS, also known as DMSO, is a clear, practically odorless liquid that is hygroscopic and water soluble. Stem cells, functional cells, tissues, cells, and cellular components separated from umbilical cord blood, peripheral blood, bone marrow, and other biologicals are all cryopreserved using 99.9% DMSO. The controlled production of ice crystals by DMSO-Dextran (55 percent DMSO and 5 percent Dextran-40) helps to less harm to cell membranes and organelles.