Tag Archives: room-temperature DNA storage

BK Enhanced Blood Cards: 17+ Year DNA

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The BK Blood Sample Collection Card Kit (Enhanced Version) is a revolutionary solution for long-term DNA storage at room temperature. Designed for medical and forensic applications, this enhanced kit ensures DNA stability and preservation for over 17 years without refrigeration. The card utilizes advanced materials that protect DNA from degradation, while the specially treated surface ensures easy sample collection and minimal contamination. This kit is ideal for large-scale DNA databases, paternity testing, criminal investigations, and epidemiological research, offering secure, reliable DNA storage for years.

Key Features:

  1. Room Temperature Storage: No refrigeration required, making it ideal for remote or field-based DNA collection.

  2. Long-Term Preservation: Ensures DNA integrity for over 17 years, suitable for long-term storage and future analysis.

  3. Enhanced Material Technology: Specially treated blood collection card material prevents DNA degradation and environmental contamination.

  4. Convenient and Easy-to-Use: Simplifies the blood collection process while providing secure, non-invasive sampling.

  5. Versatile Application: Suitable for forensic investigations, medical testing, ancestry research, and genetic databases.

Operational Use:

  1. Collect Sample: Use the provided lancet or needle to collect a blood sample and place it on the designated area of the card.

  2. Dry and Store: Allow the sample to dry completely before storing the card in a safe, room-temperature environment.

  3. Labeling: Ensure the sample is correctly labeled for future reference.

  4. Long-Term Storage: Store the card in its protective packaging, where it will remain viable for up to 17 years or more.

Scope:
This BK Blood Sample Collection Card Kit is ideal for use in criminal investigations, genealogical research, and medical diagnostics. It is designed for forensic professionals, researchers, hospitals, and institutions requiring secure and long-term DNA storage.

FTA Cards for Blood Sample Preservation and DNA Analysis

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FTA cards (short for “Fixative, Transport, and Analysis cards”) are specialized cellulose-based matrices designed for the long-term preservation of blood samples and subsequent DNA analysis. Developed to address the challenges of traditional liquid blood storage—such as refrigeration requirements, microbial growth, and sample degradation—FTA cards integrate chemical reagents (e.g., chaotropic salts, chelating agents, and antimicrobial compounds) that immediately fix blood cells, inactivate nucleases, and prevent microbial contamination. This technology has revolutionized field-based blood collection, enabling samples to be stored and transported at room temperature for years while maintaining high-quality DNA suitable for PCR, genotyping, and sequencing. From clinical diagnostics to forensic investigations and epidemiological surveys, FTA cards have become a staple tool for reliable, cost-effective blood DNA preservation.

Working Principle & Operation Steps

FTA cards rely on a multi-step chemical process to preserve blood samples and stabilize DNA, with a straightforward workflow suitable for field or lab use:
  1. Sample Application: A small volume of whole blood (50–100μL, approximately 1–2 drops) is spotted directly onto the labeled circles of the FTA card. For dried blood spots (DBS), the card is held horizontally to ensure uniform spreading without pooling.
  2. Fixation & Preservation: The card’s reagents immediately lyse blood cells, release DNA, and denature proteins (including nucleases that degrade DNA). Chaotropic salts disrupt cell membranes, while chelating agents (e.g., EDTA) bind metal ions required for nuclease activity, and antimicrobials prevent bacterial/fungal growth.
  3. Drying: The card is air-dried at room temperature for 1–2 hours (or 30 minutes in a fume hood). Drying is critical—moisture残留 can lead to sample degradation or cross-contamination. The card is then stored in a sealed plastic bag with a desiccant to absorb ambient moisture.
  4. DNA Extraction for Analysis: A small punch (2–3mm diameter) is taken from the blood-spotted area using a sterile punch tool. The punch is washed 2–3 times with FTA purification buffer (or TE buffer) to remove reagents and residual hemoglobin, then dried. The purified punch is directly added to PCR reactions, as the DNA remains bound to the card matrix and is released during PCR thermal cycling.

Key Features

  • Room-Temperature Stability: Preserves DNA for up to 10+ years at 15–25°C, eliminating the need for refrigeration or freezers during storage/transport.
  • Microbial & Nuclease Inactivation: Integrated reagents prevent microbial growth and nuclease activity, ensuring DNA integrity even in warm or humid conditions.
  • Minimal Sample Volume: Requires only small blood volumes, making it ideal for pediatric samples, wildlife studies, or resource-limited settings.
  • Cost-Effective & Portable: Lightweight, compact, and cheaper than liquid storage tubes, reducing shipping costs and logistical burdens for fieldwork.

Scope & Applications

  • Clinical Diagnostics: Storage of patient blood samples for genetic disease testing (e.g., sickle cell anemia), infectious disease surveillance (e.g., HIV, malaria), and pharmacogenomics.
  • Forensic Science: Preservation of blood evidence from crime scenes (e.g., dried blood stains) for DNA profiling, with long-term stability supporting cold case investigations.
  • Epidemiological Research: Large-scale blood collection in remote or resource-poor regions to study disease prevalence, genetic diversity, or population health trends.
  • Wildlife Conservation: Collection of small blood samples from endangered species for genetic monitoring, parentage analysis, or disease screening without requiring immediate lab access.