<p>Provided is a method for the separation of blood cells from a blood sample, which method comprises: (a) contacting the blood sample with an agent having a binding component that binds blood cells to form bound blood cells; and (b) separating the bound blood cells from the blood, wherein the agent is capable of binding a plurality of different blood cell types, and wherein the binding component is capable of binding to a protein expressed on a surface of the blood cells. Also provided is a method for the separation of red blood cells from a blood sample, which method comprises: (a) providing a sample collection vessel comprising an agent having a binding component that binds red blood cells; (b) collecting a blood sample in the sample collection vessel such that red blood cells bind to the agent; (c) removing the blood sample from the collection vessel such that red blood cells remain in the vessel; wherein the vessel or the agent comprises a means for retaining the red blood cells in the vessel on removal of the blood sample.</p>
