We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
LGC Clinical Diagnostics

Download Mobile App




Events

09 Apr 2024 - 12 Apr 2024
15 Apr 2024 - 17 Apr 2024
23 Apr 2024 - 26 Apr 2024

Blood Collection Device Minimizes Cellular DNA Release

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 27 Aug 2013
Print article
Image: Cell-free DNA BCT tube (Photo courtesy of Streck, Inc.).
Image: Cell-free DNA BCT tube (Photo courtesy of Streck, Inc.).
Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) circulating in blood is currently used for noninvasive diagnostic and prognostic tests and minimizing background DNA is vital for detection of low abundance cfDNA.

A newly introduced blood collection device could reduce background levels of genomic DNA (gDNA) in plasma compared to standard tubes, when subjected to conditions that may occur during sample storage and shipping.

Scientists working for a commercial manufacturer took blood samples from healthy donors into tri-potassium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (K3EDTA) tubes and Cell-Free DNA BCT (BCT), which is a new collection device that contains a novel chemical cocktail. Samples were shaken or left unshaken to simulate shipping. In a shipping study, samples were shipped or not shipped. To assess temperature variations, samples were incubated at 6 °C, 22 °C, and 37 °C. In all cases, plasma was harvested by centrifugation and total plasma DNA (pDNA) assayed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The QIAamp Circulating Nucleic Acid Kit (Qiagen; Santa Clarita, CA, USA) was used for the extraction of pDNA.

The BCT tubes are manufactured by Streck, Inc., (Omaha, NE, USA) while the K3EDTA tubes were the BD Vacutainer, (Becton Dickinson; Franklin Lakes, NJ, USA). Shaking of blood drawn into K3EDTA tubes showed a significant increase in pDNA over 24 hours whereas no change was seen in Cell-Free DNA BCT tubes. Blood incubated at 6 °C, 22 °C, and 37 °C showed significant increases in pDNA isolated from K3EDTA tubes, while pDNA levels from Cell-Free DNA BCT remained stable over 14 days.

The novel stabilizing chemical cocktail prevents the release of gDNA into plasma post phlebotomy up to 14 days, avoiding labor-intensive requirements. Using this blood collection device, ex vivo storage at room temperature becomes possible, allowing flexibility for offsite blood drawn to be sent to centralized laboratories for downstream analysis of the cfDNA without preliminary centrifugations or cryopreservation.

The authors concluded that Cell-Free DNA BCT tubes prevent increases in background gDNA levels caused by temperature fluctuations or agitation that can occur during blood sample storage, shipping and processing. This novel blood-collection tube provides a method for obtaining high quality stabilized samples for rare DNA target detection and determining accurate cfDNA concentrations. The study was published on July 12, 2013, in the Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis.

Related Links:

Qiagen
Streck, Inc.
Becton Dickinson


Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
One Step HbA1c Measuring System
GREENCARE A1c
Complement 3 (C3) Test
GPP-100 C3 Kit
Gold Member
ADAMTS-13 Protease Activity Test
ATS-13 Activity Assay

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)

POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection

Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: MOF materials efficiently enrich cfDNA and cfRNA in blood through simple operational process (Photo courtesy of Science China Press)

Blood Circulating Nucleic Acid Enrichment Technique Enables Non-Invasive Liver Cancer Diagnosis

The ability to diagnose diseases early can significantly enhance the effectiveness of clinical treatments and improve survival rates. One promising approach for non-invasive early diagnosis is the use... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The low-cost portable device rapidly identifies chemotherapy patients at risk of sepsis (Photo courtesy of 52North Health)

POC Finger-Prick Blood Test Determines Risk of Neutropenic Sepsis in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Neutropenia, a decrease in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell crucial for fighting infections), is a frequent side effect of certain cancer treatments. This condition elevates the risk of infections,... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: The OvaCis Rapid Test discriminates benign from malignant epithelial ovarian cysts (Photo courtesy of INEX)

Intra-Operative POC Device Distinguishes Between Benign and Malignant Ovarian Cysts within 15 Minutes

Ovarian cysts represent a significant health issue for women globally, with up to 10% experiencing this condition at some point in their lives. These cysts form when fluid collects within a thin membrane... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.