METHOD FOR PRESERVATION OF CELLS AND NUCLEIC ACID TARGETS

摘要

The present invention provides a method for preserving cells and nucleic aci ds in a sample by exposing the sample to a composition that causes an inhibitory affect on proteolytic agents and/or nucleic acid degradative agents in the sample. Suc h compositions that are useful in the method of the present invention include chelating agents such as sodium citrate, sodium borate, sodium fluoride and EDTA, that will bind trac e metals necessary for proteolytic activity of proteolytic agents and/or nuclease activity of nuclease agents in a sample.