Real time transcript profiles Do any methods exist (or are in the process of development) for investigating transcript data without lysing the cells, i.e, destroying the sample?
Answer:
There are no methods that exist for investigating transcript data inside a cell without destroying the cell. Separating RNA from cells requires essentially destroying the cells and using a chemical cocktail to split its constituent components.

Alternative 1: One option is to investigate extracellular transcripts of living cells is to centrifuge cells in culture and isolating RNA from the growth media supernatant [1]. Cell-free DNA and cell-free RNA are hot topics in contemporary biology and bioinformatics as a potential source for disease biomarkers. [2]

Alternative 2: Another option to monitor a transcript from a living cell is to use a transgenic construct with a reporter molecule like luciferase or a fluorescent protein to produce light or become fluorescent when a promotor is activated [3, 4]. This does not directly measure transcript quantity but answers a similar question: how does transcription change in a living cell?

Sources:

[1] Théry, C., Amigorena, S., Raposo, G., &amp; Clayton, A. (2006). Isolation and characterization of exosomes from cell culture supernatants and biological fluids. Current protocols in cell biology, 30(1), 3-22.

[2] Yu, X. M., Wu, Y. C., Liu, X., Huang, X. C., Hou, X. X., Wang, J. L., ... &amp; Ling, Z. Q. (2016). Cell-Free RNA content in peripheral blood as potential biomarkers for detecting circulating tumor cells in non-small cell lung carcinoma. International journal of molecular sciences, 17(11), 1845.

[3] Kaskova, Z. M., Tsarkova, A. S., &amp; Yampolsky, I. V. (2016). 1001 lights: luciferins, luciferases, their mechanisms of action and applications in chemical analysis, biology and medicine. Chemical Society Reviews, 45(21), 6048-6077.

[4] Rao, J., Dragulescu-Andrasi, A., &amp; Yao, H. (2007). Fluorescence imaging in vivo: recent advances. Current opinion in biotechnology, 18(1), 17-25.