Abstract: It has surprisingly been discovered that it is possible to stabilize biomolecules such as RNA, DNA and proteins in biological samples such as cells, tissues, biopsies and blood using deep eutectic solvents (DES). It has also been discovered that DES mixtures can be used to fix and preserve cell morphology in biological samples such as tissue blocks, cancer biopsies and whole blood. This invention describes methods to stabilize and preserve biomolecules, whole cells, tissues, blood and biological samples using DES mixtures.

Abstract: A method of processing a biological sample to obtain single cells and/or groups of cells comprises: fixing cells of the biological sample using a fixative; contacting the biological sample with a dissociation medium; dissociating the biological sample in the presence of the dissociation medium to obtain the single cells and/or groups of cells; wherein the fixative comprises a deep eutectic solvent. Fixing cells of the biological sample using a deep eutectic solvent facilitates dissociation of the biological sample into single cells, while at the same time inhibiting the degradation of biomolecules such as DNA and RNA in the cells. Also provided is an apparatus useful in the method, deep eutectic solvents and uses thereof, and a method of extracting cell nuclei.

Abstract: It has surprisingly been discovered that it is possible to stabilise biomolecules such as RNA, DNA and proteins in biological samples such as cells, tissues, biopsies and blood using deep eutectic solvents (DES). It has also been discovered that DES mixtures can be used to fix and preserve cell morphology in biological samples such as tissue blocks, cancer biopsies and whole blood. This invention describes methods to stabilise and preserve biomolecules, whole cells, tissues, blood and biological samples using DES mixtures.