An ex vivo or in vitro method for in vitro or ex vivo keeping alive and for transporting of a skin biopsy, said skin biopsy comprising at least the epidermis, dermis and epidermal appendices, said biopsy having previously been obtained from a mammalian, said method comprising the following steps: a) Laying said skin biopsy on a liquid matrix capable of solidifying under the action of an increase or decrease in temperature and/or by the addition of a specific compound or composition so that the superficial part of said biopsy corresponding to the entire epidermis remains emerged while the dermis underlying this epidermis is completely immersed, said liquid matrix capable of solidifying being chosen from blood plasma or a solution derived from blood plasma diluted in physiological buffer at a maximum of 10%, a fibrinogen solution, a collagen solution, gelatin, synthetic polymeric gels, natural agarose or agar-agar gels with low melting points, starch or polysaccharide gels, or a mixture thereof, said liquid matrix capable of solidifying being itself contained in an insert whose bottom is composed of a porous membrane, and said insert being disposed in a container or well; and b) Solidifying said liquid matrix capable of solidifying induced by an increase or decrease in temperature and/or by the addition of a specific compound or composition, this solidification having the effect of trapping the immersed part of said skin biopsy in said matrix thus solidified, and to cause the solidified matrix to adhere to the lateral walls and to the porous membrane of the insert, and wherein said epidermal superficial part of the biopsy, remaining emerged is in contact with the atmospheric air or under a controlled atmosphere partially comprising air. a) Laying said skin biopsy on a liquid matrix capable of solidifying under the action of an increase or decrease in temperature and/or by the addition of a specific compound or composition so that the superficial part of said biopsy corresponding to the entire epidermis remains emerged while the dermis underlying this epidermis is completely immersed, said liquid matrix capable of solidifying being chosen from blood plasma or a solution derived from blood plasma diluted in physiological buffer at a maximum of 10%, a fibrinogen solution, a collagen solution, gelatin, synthetic polymeric gels, natural agarose or agar-agar gels with low melting points, starch or polysaccharide gels, or a mixture thereof, said liquid matrix capable of solidifying being itself contained in an insert whose bottom is composed of a porous membrane, and said insert being disposed in a container or well; and b) Solidifying said liquid matrix capable of solidifying induced by an increase or decrease in temperature and/or by the addition of a specific compound or composition, this solidification having the effect of trapping the immersed part of said skin biopsy in said matrix thus solidified, and to cause the solidified matrix to adhere to the lateral walls and to the porous membrane of the insert, and wherein said epidermal superficial part of the biopsy, remaining emerged is in contact with the atmospheric air or under a controlled atmosphere partially comprising air. <EOS>