Polymeric cryogel with interconnected pore structure can be prepared using the cryogelation technique and have been paid intensive attention in the fields of both academia and industry. Because of its high porosity, permeability, and chemical/mechanical stability, polymeric cryogel has been widely used as stationary phase in chromatography separation of particulate-containing fluids and cells, carriers for immobilization of cell/biological particulates, and three-dimensional scaffolds for tissue engineering. This paper introduces in detail the preparation of polymeric cryogel and relationship between its structural parameters and preparation process, such as concentration of monomer/precursor/initiator, freezing process, and solvent. The functionalization of cryogels as well as its biomedical applications are also summarized.

Contents
1 Introduction
1.1 Preparation and structure of polymeric cryogels
1.2 Pore structure and the preparation process
1.3 Structure characterization of cryogels
2 Functionalization of polymeric cryogels
2.1 Copolymerization of functional monomers
2.2 Surface coupling of functional groups
2.3 Surface graft polymerization
2.4 Double crosslinking
2.5 Composite cryogels
3 Application of polymeric cryogels
3.1 Stationary phase in chromatography separation of cell/biological particulate
3.2 Carrier for immobilization of cell/biological particulate
3.3 Scaffold for tissue engineering
4 Conclusion and outlook