Method for preventing the adhesion of particles

1. A method for inhibiting adhesion of particles to surfaces, said method comprising:

providing the particles comprising at least one of eukaryotic cells, prokaryotic cells, and cellular components thereof;

providing a substrate comprising a microanalysis system or synthetic microparticles, wherein the substrate has surfaces to which the particles are capable of adhering;

providing the particles in a solution comprising polyvinyl alcohol; and

contacting the substrate with the solution, wherein the polyvinyl alcohol is present as a solute in the solution in an amount effective to inhibit adhesion of the particles to the surfaces, wherein the concentration of the polyvinyl alcohol in solution is 0.01% (w/v) to 5% (w/v).

2. A method for inhibiting adhesion of particles to surfaces, said method comprising:

providing the particles comprising at least one of viable eukaryotic cells and viable prokaryotic cells;

providing a substrate comprising a microanalysis system or synthetic microparticles, wherein the substrate has surfaces to which the particles are capable of adhering;

providing the particles in a solution comprising polyvinyl alcohol; and

contacting the substrate with the solution, wherein the polyvinyl alcohol is present as a solute in the solution in an amount effective to inhibit adhesion of the particles to the surfaces;

wherein the concentration of the polyvinyl alcohol in solution is 0.01% (w/v) to 5% (w/v); and

wherein the cells retain their viability.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the surfaces comprise channel surfaces of the microanalysis system.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the surfaces comprise surfaces of the synthetic microparticles.