<p>Following directional freezing of the adhered IEC-18 epithelial cells and gradual freezing on the translational stage to -20°C, samples were subjected to gradual cooling to -80°C on the LN flow cooling stage at rates of 0.5°C/min or 1°C/min. As a control, a sample was transferred directly to the -80°C freezer after reaching -20°C. Phase contrast images (10x) were collected prior to freezing, after thawing, and after 5 h incubation post thawing in a humidified 5% CO<sub>2</sub> incubator at 37°C. Scale bars indicate 100 μm.</p
