Storage of isolated mitochondria

After extraction and quantification steps, the most intriguing challenge in preparing mitochondria for transplantation of these organelles is the preservation of the material isolated from different tissues. It is essential to maintain these organelles in a viable condition without losing the biological characteristics of the tissue of origin. After isolation and quantification, various methods, when performed following proper protocols, lead to the last step of preparation mitochondria ready for use. Two main methods are used for preservation of mitochondria after isolation: cold storage and cryopreservation. Current methodological approaches in mitochondrial transplantation techniques suggest using freshly prepared isolated mitochondria from different tissues; this could be a limitation for mitochondrial transplantation techniques, and further efforts in methodological research should be aimed at overcoming this problem.