Biological Sample Preservative Composition for Room-Temperature Multi-Omics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-omics workflows face challenges in preserving biological markers and cells in blood and other biological samples due to degradation of nucleic acids, proteins, and metabolites, especially when samples are collected at different locations and times, requiring specialized preservatives that often cause cell lysis and contamination.
Innovation Solution
A proprietary preservative composition comprising enzyme inhibitors, metabolic inhibitors, cell surface remodeling polymers, and optional agents like polypropylene glycol, which maintains cells alive and preserves cellular and cell-free analytes, enabling seamless integration of diverse data sets for holistic understanding of health and disease.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If specialized preservatives are used to preserve biological markers, then preservation effectiveness is improved, but cell lysis and contamination occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the preservative composition by using a combination of metabolizable polymers (like poloxamers) and enzyme inhibitors (like EDTA) instead of traditional cross-linking agents. This parameter change allows the preservative to maintain cells in a viable state while still preventing degradation of biological markers, thereby resolving the contradiction between preservation effectiveness and cell integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite preservative system that combines multiple components: metabolizable polymers for structural support, enzyme inhibitors for protease/nuclease inhibition, and optional antioxidants. This composite approach provides multifunctional protection - preserving biological markers while maintaining cell viability and preventing hemolysis, thus resolving the contradiction between preservation effectiveness and avoidance of cell damage.
2Ease of operation
If cells are preserved alive at room temperature, then storage and transport ease is improved, but degradation of nucleic acids, proteins and metabolites occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by incorporating enzyme inhibitors (such as EDTA for metalloprotease inhibition) and antioxidants into the preservative composition before sample collection. These agents proactively prevent enzymatic degradation and oxidative damage that would otherwise occur during room temperature storage, allowing cells to remain viable without compromising the stability of nucleic acids, proteins, and metabolites.
Solution Approach 2:
The metabolizable polymers act as intermediaries that provide structural support and create a protective microenvironment for the cells during storage. These polymers (e.g., poloxamers) stabilize the cellular structure and protect biological markers from degradation while allowing the cells to remain metabolically active, thus mediating between the need for room temperature storage and the need for marker stability.
3Reliability
If traditional preservatives are used, then biological marker preservation is improved, but cold storage is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the temperature parameter requirement by developing a preservative composition that maintains biological marker stability and cell viability at room temperature (20-25°C) rather than requiring refrigeration (2-8°C) or freezing (-20°C). This is achieved through the synergistic combination of metabolizable polymers, enzyme inhibitors, and antioxidants that collectively prevent degradation without requiring cold temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The preservative composition is designed to be self-sufficient at room temperature, with metabolizable polymers that maintain cellular structure and function without external cooling. The enzyme inhibitors and antioxidants continuously protect against degradation autonomously, eliminating the need for cold storage infrastructure and enabling simplified sample collection, transport, and storage while maintaining biological marker integrity.
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 preserves cells and biological markers at room temperature without cold storage, maintaining sample integrity for extended periods, allowing for accurate extraction and analysis of nucleic acids, proteins, and metabolites.
Implementation Method 1
a. one or more enzyme inhibitors
Implementation Method 2
c. one or more cell surface remodeling polymers
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure is directed to biological marker and cell preservative compositions. Methods of preserving biological markers and/or cells in a blood or other biological sample, and kits for preserving biological markers and/or cells in a blood or other biological sample are also described.