Ambient Storage Stabilizer for Biological Samples
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for storing biological samples, such as nucleic acids and proteins, face challenges in maintaining biological activity over extended periods without refrigeration, especially under extreme environmental conditions, leading to degradation and loss of functional integrity.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising specific compounds, precipitating agents, lower alcohols, chaotropes, chelating agents, reducing agents, and pH buffers is used to stabilize nucleic acid and protein molecules, allowing for storage at ambient temperatures without refrigeration, preventing degradation and maintaining biological activity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If biological samples are stored at low temperatures (−20°C to −80°C) to prevent degradation, then nucleic acid and protein stability is improved, but storage cost and equipment complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the storage buffer by incorporating specific stabilizing compounds (e.g., BSA, gelatin, specific salts, and reducing agents) to create optimal chemical conditions that protect biomolecules at ambient temperatures, eliminating the need for temperature-controlled equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses inexpensive chemical stabilizers and simple buffer components that can be easily prepared and discarded, replacing expensive and complex refrigeration equipment with simple chemical protection systems that require no maintenance or energy input
2Ease of operation
If biological samples are transported without refrigeration to simplify logistics, then ease of operation is improved, but sample degradation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary stabilization by adding protective compounds and optimizing buffer conditions before sample collection, ensuring that biomolecules are protected from degradation throughout the entire transport process without requiring subsequent temperature control
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces chemical intermediaries (stabilizing compounds, protective proteins, and buffer agents) that mediate between the sample and environmental stressors, protecting biomolecules from temperature fluctuations and degradation during transport
3Use of energy by stationary object
If nucleic acids are stored on cellulose membranes at room temperature to eliminate refrigeration, then storage cost decreases, but material recovery loss increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts nucleic acids from cellulose membrane binding and instead stabilizes them in liquid or semi-liquid buffer solutions, eliminating the adsorption-induced loss while maintaining ambient temperature storage capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite buffer systems containing multiple protective components (proteins, salts, reducing agents, and chelating agents) that work synergistically to stabilize nucleic acids in solution, preventing degradation without requiring membrane binding
4Ease of manufacture
If standard buffer solutions are used for sample storage, then ease of manufacture is improved, but sample stability at ambient temperature deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention modifies buffer parameters by adding specific stabilizing compounds at optimized concentrations, creating a chemically enhanced formulation that maintains simplicity of preparation while dramatically improving ambient temperature stability of biomolecules
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The composition effectively stabilizes DNA and RNA for up to 70% recovery and polypeptides for extended periods, preventing degradation and maintaining biological activity, even at room temperature, thus addressing the limitations of existing storage methods.
Implementation Method 1
A composition comprising specific compounds, precipitating agents, lower alcohols, chaotropes, chelating agents, reducing agents, and pH buffers is used to stabilize nucleic acid and protein molecules, allowing for storage at ambient temperatures without refrigeration, preventing degradation and maintaining biological activity
Data Source
AI summary
Compositions and methods are disclosed for substantially liquid, gel, suspension, slurry, semisolid and/or colloid storage of biological samples following admixture with the herein disclosed storage composition, permitting substantial recovery of biological activity following storage without refrigeration. In certain embodiments, unfractionated blood or tissue samples may be stored without refrigeration for weeks, months or years in a form that permits recovery of intact DNA, RNA or protein components following the storage period.