Method for reversible fixation or selective lysis of cell using photocleavable polymer

A method of reversibly fixing cells, the method comprising

• incubating a sample comprising cells with a photocleavable polymer to reversibly fix the cells,
• wherein the photocleavable polymer comprises a photocleavable linker and a polymer having a functional group capable of binding to protein, lipid, or sugar of the cells, or any combination thereof.

A method of selectively lysing cells, the method comprising:

• incubating a sample comprising two or more cells with a photocleavable polymer to reversibly fix the cells, wherein the photocleavable polymer comprises a photocleavable linker and a polymer having a functional group that binds to protein, lipid, or sugar of the cells, or any combination thereof;
• selectively irradiating light to the fixed cells, to a target cell among the fixed cells, or to a non-target cell among the fixed cells to cleave the photocleavable polymer to obtain a reactant;
• adding a cell lysis solution to the reactant to selectively lyse the irradiated cells.