Saliva-Based Stabilizing Composition for Ambient Biological Sample Storage
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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 sample integrity during transportation and storage.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising specific compounds and additives, including precipitating agents, lower alcohols, chaotropes, chelating agents, reducing agents, and pH buffers, is used to stabilize nucleic acid and protein molecules in biological samples, allowing for storage at ambient temperatures without refrigeration, thereby preventing degradation and maintaining biological activity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If biological samples are stored at ambient temperature without refrigeration, then storage and transportation become simpler and more accessible, but the samples degrade and lose biological activity over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces saliva as an intermediary medium that naturally stabilizes biological samples. The composition includes saliva or saliva-like substances that act as protective agents, allowing samples to be stored at ambient temperature without degradation. This mediator enables simple storage conditions while maintaining sample integrity through the stabilizing properties of saliva components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical and chemical parameters of the storage environment by using saliva-based compositions with specific pH ranges (6.5-8.5) and ionic compositions. These parameter changes create optimal conditions for sample stability at ambient temperature, transforming the storage conditions from potentially degrading to protective without requiring refrigeration.
2Reliability
If refrigeration is used to preserve biological samples, then sample stability is maintained, but storage costs and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The saliva-based composition is self-stabilizing and does not require external refrigeration equipment or energy input. The natural components of saliva (proteins, enzymes, buffering capacity) automatically maintain sample stability at ambient temperature, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for complex refrigeration infrastructure.
3Reliability
If refrigeration is used to maintain sample integrity during long-term storage, then degradation is prevented, but energy consumption and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The saliva-based storage system is energy-autonomous, utilizing the inherent stabilizing properties of saliva to preserve samples without any external energy input. The composition naturally maintains sample integrity through its biochemical properties, eliminating all energy consumption associated with refrigeration while ensuring long-term storage reliability.
4Reliability
If samples are stored in liquid form at low temperatures, then biological activity is preserved, but storage infrastructure requirements and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the storage temperature parameter from subzero to ambient range by introducing saliva-based stabilizing compositions. These compositions modify the biochemical environment to prevent degradation at higher temperatures, allowing liquid sample storage without cold infrastructure while maintaining biological activity through controlled pH, ionic strength, and protective factors present in saliva.
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 molecules, preventing at least 70% degradation over extended periods, and maintains polypeptide stability, enabling reliable analysis and processing without the need for refrigeration, even under extreme conditions.
Implementation Method 1
A composition comprising specific compounds and additives, including precipitating agents, lower alcohols, chaotropes, chelating agents, reducing agents, and pH buffers, is used to stabilize nucleic acid and protein molecules in biological samples
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 saliva samples may be stored without refrigeration for weeks, months or years in a form that permits recovery of intact DNA following the storage period.