Dissolvable Dry Storage Matrix for Biological Samples
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biological sample storage methods face challenges such as costly refrigeration requirements, sample degradation, contamination, and inefficient storage and retrieval processes, particularly for nucleic acids and proteins, due to inadequate storage solutions and handling practices.
Innovation Solution
A matrix for substantially dry storage of biological samples using a solvent-dissolvable material combined with stabilizers like trehalose and trehalase inhibitors, allowing for ambient temperature storage without refrigeration and maintaining biological activity upon rehydration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If samples are stored in liquid form at low temperatures, then sample stability is improved, but storage cost and equipment complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the sample from liquid to dry form, and changes the temperature parameter from low temperature to ambient temperature. This is achieved by formulating samples in a dry state with stabilizers that prevent degradation without requiring refrigeration, thereby eliminating the need for costly cold storage equipment while maintaining sample stability.
2Temperature
If samples are stored on cellulose fibers, then ambient temperature storage is enabled, but material recovery is reduced due to trapping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sample from the cellulose matrix by adding a solvent that dissolves or detaches the sample from the fibers. This extraction process allows the sample to be recovered in solution form, eliminating the trapping effect of cellulose fibers while maintaining the benefit of ambient temperature storage during the dry storage phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a solvent as an intermediary substance that mediates between the dry-stored sample on cellulose and the liquid phase needed for analysis. The solvent dissolves the sample and detaches it from the cellulose fibers, enabling complete recovery without direct contact between the sample and the problematic cellulose matrix during the recovery process.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If samples are separated from cellulose filters, then contamination is reduced, but handling complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the storage function and the separation function into a single integrated system. The cellulose filter serves as both the storage medium and the separation medium, eliminating the need for a separate separation step. The solvent simultaneously recovers the sample and separates it from the cellulose, reducing handling steps while maintaining low contamination.
4Stability of the object's composition
If proteins are stored frozen, then sample stability is improved, but bioactivity is reduced due to freeze-thaw stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the storage temperature parameter from frozen to ambient temperature, and changes the physical state from liquid to dry. This parameter change eliminates the freeze-thaw cycling that damages protein bioactivity, while the dry state with stabilizers maintains sample stability without requiring freezing, thereby preserving protein function.
5Adaptability or versatility
If multiple aliquots are frozen for repeated use, then sample availability is improved, but degradation increases with each freeze-thaw cycle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sample into multiple individual wells or compartments in a plate format, allowing individual aliquots to be accessed without thawing the entire sample. Each well contains a separate portion of the sample in dry stable form, enabling repeated access to different aliquots without subjecting any single aliquot to freeze-thaw stress, thus maintaining stability while providing sample availability.
Data Source
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AI summary
Compositions and methods are disclosed for automated storing, tracking, retrieving and analyzing biological samples, including dry storage at ambient temperatures of nucleic acids, proteins (including enzymes), and cells using a dissolvable dry storage matrix that permits recovery of biologically active materials. RFID-tagged biological sample storage devices featuring dissolvable or dissociable matrices are described for use as supports of biological samples, which matrices can be dried and subsequently rehydrated for sample recovery. Also disclosed are computer-implemented systems and methods for managing sample data.