Results from intensive trials of Whatman DNA storage product were presented in October 2005 at the UK Biobank conference, 'Laboratory aspects of biobanking'
The UK Biobank, as part of an extensive scientific study aimed at validating its laboratory processes, has completed a series of experiments with several products, including Whatman FTA Elute, to validate their suitability for the long term archiving of dried blood samples.
As they enter the final stages of refining their protocol for the collection and storage of biological samples, the UK Biobank has been pleased with the results achieved using FTA Elute.
The organisation presented its full findings and conclusions at the 'Laboratory aspects of biobanking' conference in October 2005.
"By storing dried blood, we will achieve significant savings in terms of both cost and storage space," said Tim Peakman, executive director of the UK Biobank.
"But the savings would have been irrelevant if we did not have confidence in the long-term integrity of our samples.
"For example, by providing for room temperature storage, FTA and FTA Elute eliminate the freeze/thaw sample degradation of stored cellular fractions inherent in traditional ultra low temperature storage approaches.
"A broad network of academic collaborators, who have used a wide variety of matrices, steered us toward Whatman FTA and FTA Elute," added Peakman.
"Both products proved their ability to provide stable and cost-effective storage of samples, but FTA Elute seems more conducive to the purposes of the UK Biobank.
"Through a simple heat and water elution step, FTA Elute releases the DNA, reducing contamination from the matrix and allowing us to perform fewer PCR amplification cycles to reach a saturation endpoint".
FTA Elute binds proteins, hemoglobin and other PCR inhibitors to create an extremely stable environment that allows DNA to be stored at room temperature.
The unique benefit of FTA Elute is its ability to ultimately release the stored DNA into liquid, the ideal scenario for organizations that need to perform multiple amplification reactions from a single DNA sample
