Biomatrica and Qiagen have announced the launch of Qiagen's QIAsafe DNA blood products, the first dry-blood storage available on a matrix, based on Biomatrica's Samplematrix technology.
Samplematrix simplifies transport and storage of blood samples at room temperature by forming protective seals around DNA.
Judy Muller-Cohn, chief executive officer and co-founder of Biomatrica, said: 'The Samplematrix technology employed in the QIAsafe DNA blood tubes and plates allow for safe, long-term preservation of DNA in blood samples at room temperature.
'Recovery of the sample is by simple hydration, followed by purification of DNA for use in downstream applications.' Methods are being sought to allow storage at room temperature, which would reduce costs as well as being environmentally friendly and maintaining high integrity and yield of DNA.
Qiagen launched QIAsafe DNA Blood to provide easy transport and storage of whole blood at room temperature and high yield of DNA extracted from the sample.
Marie McCluskey, global product manager at Qiagen, said: "Traditional room-temperature storage of blood samples via paper methods can result in relatively low yields of DNA.
'The QIAsafe DNA Blood products allow for storage of blood samples on a matrix, which results in significantly higher yields when compared to conventional long-term room temperature storage methods.' Samplematrix is based on extremophile biology, in which organisms are able to survive long-term in a state of anhydrobiosis (life without water), and later be revived by rehydration.
Extremophiles such as tardigrades, also known as water bears, and brine shrimp are able to protect their DNA, RNA, proteins, membranes and cellular systems in a dried state for extended periods of time.
Biomatrica's technology mimics the natural molecular mechanisms used by these organisms.
The technology works by forming a thermo-stable barrier during the drying process to protect samples from degradation during storage at room temperature.
