The disclosure relates to devices, solutions and methods for collecting and
processing samples of bodily fluids containing cells (as well as embodiments for the collection, and
processing and / or analysis of other fluids including toxic and / or hazardous substances / fluids). In addition, the disclosure relates generally to function genomic studies and to the isolation and preservation of cells from
saliva and other bodily fluids (e.g.,
urine), for cellular analysis. With respect to devices for collection of bodily fluids, some embodiments include two
mating bodies, a cap and a tube (for example), where, in some embodiments, the cap includes a closed
interior space for holding a sample
preservative solution and mates with the tube to constitute the (closed)
sample collection device. Upon
mating, the preservation solution flows into the closed
interior space to preserve cells in the bodily fluid. The tube is configured to receive a donor sample of bodily fluid (e.g.,
saliva,
urine), which can then be subjected to
processing to extract a plurality of cells. The plurality of cells can be further processed to isolate one and / or another
cell type therefrom. The plurality of cells, as well as the
isolated cell type(s), can be analyzed for functional genomic and epigenetic studies, as well as
biomarker discovery.