Columbia University

Hui-Min Chung

Leonardus H Van Der Ploeg

Doris B Tse

This invention provides a method for preserving cells which comprises the steps of (a) suspending cells in a physiologically-acceptable, isotonic medium; and (b) fixing the cells so suspended at a temperature of less than about 10.degree. C. under sufficiently hypertonic conditions so as to disperse the cells in a single, unagglutinated state, thereby preserving cells. This invention also provides a method for detecting cells separated from a sample which have been preserved according to the aforementioned method. This invention also provides a method for visualizing cells. Also provided is a method for detecting a metabolic process in cells present in a sample. This invention also provides a method for detecting the presence of rare cells in a sample which specifically possess on their surfaces a moiety recognized by a known ligand comprising preserving cells separated from the sample according to the aforementioned method for preserving cells. The subject invention also provides for quantitatively determining and isolating rare cells detected according to the aformentioned method. Further provided are methods for determining whether a fetus is afflicted with a genetic abnormality, determining the gender of a fetus, determining whether a subject is afflicted with a tumor, and detecting in a subject the presence of cells expressing a malignant phenotype, each method comprising preserving cells according to the aforementioned method for preserving cells.

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Scotch Plains, NJ, United States of America

Hui-Min Chung