Abstract: Methods for tissue microdissection- or dissociation-free means of collecting cell-specific biomolecules from complex heterogeneous tissue sources including native tissues, fresh frozen, fixed, and archived specimens. The tissue section having a plurality of beads with immobilized capture probes on their surface evenly distributed over all cell types of the tissue is arranged. Alternatively the tissue section being coated with a thin layer of resin containing incorporated or covalently bound immobilizing capture probes is arranged. The beads or resin are incubated directly on the tissue section permitting capturing of the biomolecules by the capture probes. After incubation, the tissue section is visualized and the cells or area of interest are identified. Next, the beads or resin samples, located in these cells or areas of interest, are collected and transferred to a sample tube where biomolecules are separated from the beads or resin using standard methods and are then used in downstream applications.

Abstract: A sampling apparatus for collection and preservation of live cells comprising a collection tube, a capillary tube extending distally and substantially axially from the collection tube, the capillary tube having a first capillary tube section defining a first capillary tube inside diameter, and a luer hub engaged proximally and substantially axially on the collection tube substantially opposite the capillary tube, the luer hub having a luer passage formed therethrough, whereby installation of the sampling apparatus in a linear actuator assembly capable of providing a vacuum as by engaging the luer hub with a filter coupling of the linear actuator assembly enables selective suctioning through the luer passage, the collection tube, and the capillary tube so as to collect one or more cells within the collection tube of the sampling apparatus.