Triblock copolymer-based cell stabilization and fixation system and methods of use thereof

A method for stabilization of a biological particle for biomolecule analysis, comprising:

• (a) contacting a biological particle that comprises a biological particle membrane with a plurality of block copolymers, wherein the biological particle membrane comprises an intra-biological particle facing side that faces the inside of the biological particle and an extra-biological particle facing side that faces the outside of the biological particle, and
• wherein a block copolymer of the plurality of block copolymers comprises:
• (i) a hydrophobic core region comprising a first end and a second end;
• and
• (ii) a first hydrophilic region and a second hydrophilic region adjacent to the first end and the second end of the hydrophobic core region, respectively, wherein the first hydrophilic region comprises a bioorthogonal reactive moiety,
• wherein, upon said contacting, the block copolymer is inserted into the biological particle membrane at a first position such that (i) the hydrophobic core region is retained within the biological particle membrane, (ii) the first hydrophilic region of the block copolymer is oriented on the intra-biological particle facing side of the biological particle membrane, and
• (iii) the second hydrophilic region of the block copolymer is oriented on the extra-biological particle facing side of the biological particle membrane;
• and
• (b) subjecting the bioorthogonal reactive moiety of the first block copolymer to conditions sufficient to form an intra-biological particle polymer network between the bioorthogonal reactive moiety of the block copolymer and another bioorthogonal reactive moiety of another block copolymer, wherein a biomolecule of interest is retained within the biological particle and is not degraded by formation of the intra-biological particle polymer network.