Key result
A standard operating procedure was developed for the collection and RNA stabilization of 50 μL blood volumes via finger stick using Tempus tubes for gene expression profiling.
This report provides a standard operating procedure for RNA stabilization of small blood volumes collected via finger stick, enabling minimally invasive, high-frequency blood sampling for gene expression profiling.
May support high-frequency gene expression research; leaves clinical translation open pending validation.
With this report we aim to make available a standard operating procedure (SOP) developed for RNA stabilization of small blood volumes collected via a finger stick. The anticipation that this procedure may be improved through peer-review and/or readers public comments is another element motivating the publication of this SOP. Procuring blood samples from human subjects can, among other uses, enable assessment of the immune status of an individual subject via the profiling of RNA abundance using technologies such as real time PCR, NanoString, microarrays or RNA-sequencing. It is often desirable to minimize blood volumes and employ methods that are the least invasive and can be practically implemented outside of clinical settings. Finger-stick blood samples are increasingly used for measurement of levels of pharmacological drugs and biological analytes. It is a simple and convenient procedure amenable for instance to field use or self-collection at home using a blood sample collection kit. Such methodologies should also enable the procurement of blood samples at high frequency for health or disease monitoring applications.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Rinchai et al. (2017) studied this question. Finger stick blood collection and Tempus RNA stabilization was evaluated. A standard operating procedure was developed for the collection and RNA stabilization of 50 μL blood volumes via finger stick using Tempus tubes for gene expression profiling.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: