Pathogen Inactivating Media for Nucleic Acid Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for collecting, transporting, and storing biological samples are inadequate in preserving nucleic acid integrity and inactivating pathogenic microbes, particularly at room temperature, and often pose safety and compatibility issues with bleach.
Innovation Solution
Formulations comprising a sodium salt of a detergent, a metal chelating agent, and a buffer, which inactivate nucleases, disrupt protein-nucleic acid associations, and prevent nucleic acid degradation, while being safe for use with bleach, are used to contact biological samples, thereby stabilizing nucleic acids and inactivating pathogens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If biological samples are stored at room temperature, then ease of transport and handling is improved, but nucleic acid degradation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a formulation containing a detergent, metal chelating agent, and buffer as an intermediary substance that mediates between the conflicting requirements of room temperature storage and nucleic acid stability. The detergent component specifically prevents nucleic acid degradation while allowing room temperature conditions, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of transport and nucleic acid integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The formulation changes the chemical parameters of the storage environment by adding specific concentrations of detergent (0.1-3%), metal chelating agent (0.5-1.5 mM), and buffer (20-40 mM). These parameter changes create a protective chemical environment that stabilizes nucleic acids at room temperature, enabling both easy transport and reliable nucleic acid preservation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If pathogenic microbes are inactivated in biological samples, then safety of personnel is improved, but compatibility with bleach decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful interaction between detergents and bleach into a beneficial outcome. The detergent formulation inactivates pathogenic microbes (converting the harmful pathogen into a safe state) while the specific formulation is designed to be compatible with bleach, thus resolving the contradiction between personnel safety and bleach compatibility.
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 formulations effectively preserve nucleic acids for extended periods at room temperature, prevent pathogen activity, and ensure safe handling, enhancing the reliability of diagnostic assays and sample handling processes.
Implementation Method 1
contact of the formulation with a biological sample results in one or more of the following: (a) inactivation of a nuclease in the biological sample
Implementation Method 2
contact of the formulation with a biological sample results in one or more of the following: (a) inactivation of a nuclease in the biological sample
Implementation Method 3
contact of the formulation with a biological sample results in one or more of the following: (c) disruption of an association of a protein with a nucleic acid in the biological sample
Implementation Method 4
contact of the formulation with a biological sample results in one or more of the following: (d) reduction or prevention of degradation of a nucleic acid in the biological sample
Implementation Method 5
contact of the formulation with a biological sample results in one or more of the following: (b) inactivation of a pathogenic microbe in the biological sample
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides pathogen inactivating formulations, and methods of use thereof in collecting, transporting and storing biological samples, as well as preventing degradation of and purifying nucleic acids. The disclosure further provides methods of preparing compositions comprising the pathogen inactivating formulation and a biological sample.