Medium and matrix for long-term proliferation of cells

A hydrogel matrix for long-term storage and proliferation of cellular tissue, comprising:

• about 0.01 to about 40 mM of gelatin;
• and
• an effective amount of polar amino acids, said polar amino acids selected from the group consisting of arginine, lysine, histidine, glutamic acid, and aspartic acid.

A method of stimulating vascularization at a site in a host organism, said method comprising:

• contacting said site with a matrix comprising an effective amount of polar amino acids, said polar amino acids selected from the group consisting of arginine, lysine, histidine, glutamic acid, and aspartic acid.

A transplant for implanting in a host organism comprising cells encapsulated by a matrix comprising an effective amount of polar amino acids, said polar amino acids selected from the group consisting of arginine, lysine, histidine, glutamic acid, and aspartic acid.

A method for preparing a transplant site comprising injecting a matrix comprising an effective amount of polar amino acids to enhance vascularization, said polar amino acids selected from the group consisting of arginine, lysine, histidine, glutamic acid, and aspartic acid.

A method of protecting cells during isolation of the cells after enzymic digestion of cell tissue, said method comprising:

• collecting digestate from a digestion process;
• and
• adding cell culture medium to the digestate, said cell culture medium comprising an effective amount of polar amino acids, said polar amino acids selected from the group consisting of arginine, lysine, histidine, glutamic acid, and aspartic acid.