PRESERVATION OF RNA AND MORPHOLOGY IN CELLS AND TISSUES

摘要

A solution for preservation and/or storage of a cell or tissue is described. This simple nonaqueous composition can have about 10% polyethylene glycol and 90% methanol. It can be used at room temperature. Special chemicals, equipment, and techniques are not needed. Tissue preserved with and/or stored in the solution can be processed for cytology or histology, including chemical staining and/or antibody binding, by a variety of methods; antigen, DNA, and RNA can be extracted from processed tissue in high yield and with minimal or no degradation. Advantages of the solution include: economy and safety, easy access to archival material, and compatibility with both cellular and genetic analyses. The use and manufacture of the solution are also described.