Butanamide Stabilization of Extracellular Nucleic Acids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for stabilizing extracellular nucleic acids in cell-containing samples, such as blood, face challenges including contamination with intracellular nucleic acids, degradation, and the need for immediate centrifugation or freezing, which complicates sample handling and storage, especially in facilities lacking centrifuges or cold chain capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The use of butanamide as a stabilizer, which reduces contamination with genomic DNA and allows for the preservation of extracellular nucleic acids, enabling storage at room temperature for extended periods without compromising sample quality, and facilitates efficient nucleic acid isolation using standard methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If centrifugation is performed to obtain cell-free fraction, then extracellular nucleic acids can be isolated, but cell breakage occurs causing contamination with intracellular nucleic acids
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by adding a stabilizing agent to the blood sample immediately at the time of collection. This stabilizer prevents cell lysis and nucleic acid degradation before any processing steps occur, thereby preventing contamination with intracellular nucleic acids and preserving the integrity of extracellular nucleic acids for subsequent isolation
2Reliability
If immediate centrifugation or freezing is required for sample processing, then nucleic acid degradation is prevented, but sample handling complexity increases and requires specialized equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by incorporating a stabilizing agent that automatically prevents nucleic acid degradation and cell lysis upon sample collection. The stabilizer functions autonomously without requiring external equipment such as centrifuges or freezers, enabling samples to be stored and transported under simple conditions while maintaining nucleic acid integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing a chemical stabilizer that alters the physical-chemical parameters of the sample environment. The stabilizer changes the conditions to prevent cell lysis and nucleic acid degradation, allowing samples to remain stable at room temperature without requiring temperature-controlled storage or processing equipment
3Ease of operation
If cells are not completely removed from plasma/serum, then sample processing is simplified, but residual cells release intracellular nucleic acids causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by adding a stabilizing agent to the blood sample immediately at the time of collection. This stabilizer prevents cell lysis and nucleic acid degradation before any processing steps occur, thereby preventing contamination with intracellular nucleic acids and preserving the integrity of extracellular nucleic acids for subsequent isolation
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides methods, compositions and devices for stabilizing the extracellular nucleic acid population in a cell-containing biological sample using butanamide.