Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. A method for sterilizing a biological material that is sensitive to radiation, said method comprising irradiating said biological material and a combination of stabilizers comprising DMSO, mannitol and trehalose with gamma radiation for a time effective to sterilize said biological material at a rate effective to sterilize said biological material and to protect said biological material from said radiation. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the biological material contains a non-aqueous solvent. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said non-aqueous solvent is an organic solvent. 4. The method according to claim 2, wherein said non-aqueous solvent is selected from the group consisting of glycerol, ethanol, acetone and PPG. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said effective rate is not more than about 3.0 kGy/hour. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said effective rate is at least about 6.0 kGy/hour. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said biological material is maintained in a low oxygen atmosphere. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein said biological material is maintained in a vacuum. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein said biological material contains residual solvent. 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one sensitizer is added to said biological material prior to said step of irradiating said biological material. 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein said biological material comprises at least one biological contaminant or pathogen selected from the group consisting of viruses, bacteria, yeasts, molds, fungi, parasites and prions. 12. The method according to claim 1, wherein said gamma irradiation is conducted at ambient temperature. 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein said gamma irradiation is conducted at a temperature below ambient temperature. 14. The method according to claim 1, wherein said biological material is selected from the group consisting of tissues, blood or blood components and proteins.