A matrix for dry storage of a biological sample, comprising: (a) a matrix material that dissolves or dissociates in a solvent that allows complete or substantial recovery of a dried biological sample or a biological material, after hydration, rehydration or other solvent reconstitution of the sample, wherein the matrix material comprises a material selected from polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, carboxymethyl cellulose, 2-hydroxyethyl cellulose and poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline), or wherein the matrix material comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol, agarose, poly-N-vinylacetamide, poly(4-vinylpyridine), polyphenylene oxide, crosslinked acrylamide, polymethacrylate, carbon nanotubes, polylactide, lactide/glycolide copolymer, hydroxymethacrylate copolymer, calcium pectinate, hydroxpropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate, heparin sulfate proteoglycan, hyaluronic acid, glucuronic acid, thrombospondin-1 N-terminal heparin-binding domain, fibronectin, a peptide/water-soluble polymeric modifier conjugate and collagen, or comprises at least one matrix material that comprises a polymer, wherein the polymer does not covalently self-assemble and has the formula -[-X-] n - wherein X is -CH 3, -CH 2 -, -CH 2 CH -, substituted -CH 2 CH -,-CH 2 CH(COOH)-, substituted -CH 2 CH(COOH)-, -CH=CH 2, -CH=CH-, C 1 -C 24 alkyl or substituted alkyl, C 2 - 24 alkenyl or substituted alkenyl, polyoxyethylene, polyoxypropylene, or a random or block copolymer thereof; and wherein n is an integer having a value of 1-100,101-500, 501-1000, 1001-1500, or 1501-3000; and (b) at least one stabilizer, that comprises an inhibitor that is a biological inhibitor or a biochemical inhibitor, wherein the biological inhibitor or biochemical inhibitor is validamycin A; wherein the matrix is prepared by drying from a solution that comprises from 0.1 % to 10% weight-to-volume of the matrix material; wherein the matrix is obtained by air drying at ambient temperature or at an appropriately elevated temperature, and/or by drying under a suitable gas stream such as a stream of filtered air, CO 2 or an inert gas such as nitrogen or other suitable drying gas, from a solution. (a) a matrix material that dissolves or dissociates in a solvent that allows complete or substantial recovery of a dried biological sample or a biological material, after hydration, rehydration or other solvent reconstitution of the sample, wherein the matrix material comprises a material selected from polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, carboxymethyl cellulose, 2-hydroxyethyl cellulose and poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline), or wherein the matrix material comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol, agarose, poly-N-vinylacetamide, poly(4-vinylpyridine), polyphenylene oxide, crosslinked acrylamide, polymethacrylate, carbon nanotubes, polylactide, lactide/glycolide copolymer, hydroxymethacrylate copolymer, calcium pectinate, hydroxpropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate, heparin sulfate proteoglycan, hyaluronic acid, glucuronic acid, thrombospondin-1 N-terminal heparin-binding domain, fibronectin, a peptide/water-soluble polymeric modifier conjugate and collagen, or comprises at least one matrix material that comprises a polymer, wherein the polymer does not covalently self-assemble and has the formula -[-X-] n - wherein X is -CH 3, -CH 2 -, -CH 2 CH -, substituted -CH 2 CH -,-CH 2 CH(COOH)-, substituted -CH 2 CH(COOH)-, -CH=CH 2, -CH=CH-, C 1 -C 24 alkyl or substituted alkyl, C 2 - 24 alkenyl or substituted alkenyl, polyoxyethylene, polyoxypropylene, or a random or block copolymer thereof; and wherein n is an integer having a value of 1-100,101-500, 501-1000, 1001-1500, or 1501-3000; and (b) at least one stabilizer, that comprises an inhibitor that is a biological inhibitor or a biochemical inhibitor, wherein the biological inhibitor or biochemical inhibitor is validamycin A;