"Techniques involving the analysis of DNA have become ubiquitous in many areas of wildlife research," write Lee Smith and Leigh Burgoyne, who carried out the study. "Unfortunately the transport of fresh samples from the point of collection involves leakage risks and the possibility of sample degradation due to temperature variation."
To avoid these problems the Australian researchers suggest collecting DNA samples on squares of specialist filter paper, called FTA® databasing paper, produced by Whatman. This paper is impregnated with a mix of chemicals that lyse cells, prevent bacterial growth and protect DNA from degradation.
The scientists outline methods that can be used to collect DNA from a variety of samples, including blood, blood clots, tissue extracts and cheek swabs. They go on to detail how these samples can be processed, taking account of several problems associated with samples of wildlife origin.
The basic premise is simple: Biological samples are applied to FTA® paper and air-dried. A small disc is then removed from the card, and washed to remove everything except the DNA, which remains entangled with the fibres of the paper. Analyses of the genetic material can be performed while it is still attached to the disc. Alternatively, the DNA can be washed off the disc with solvents before it is used in experiments.
Smith explains one of the many benefits of using this technique: "You can extract usable DNA from very small quantities of blood. Five micro-litres are more than enough for between five and ten analyses which makes live sampling much less invasive."
To test the stability of the DNA samples, the researchers filed cards containing samples of bird blood in a box that they kept in a laboratory cupboard. Four years later, they successfully amplified DNA from these cards, demonstrating that, even though the temperature fluctuated between 18°C and 42°C, this treatment did not cause the samples to degrade significantly.
The researchers suggest that DNA on these cards can be transported cheaply, by mail or in hand luggage, whereas 'fresh' samples would require refrigeration and dedicated transport systems. They comment: "The ease of transport and storage of samples dried on paper makes it practical for researchers to acquire large reference collections throughout their careers, just as they acquire large collections of printed references." "I have between 500 and 100 samples stored in a card file on my desk," said Smith.
This press release is based on the following article:
Collecting, archiving and processing DNA from wildlife samples using FTA® databasing paper.
LM Smith, LA Burgoyne
BMC Ecology, 2004 4:3
To be published Thursday April 8, 2004
Upon publication this article will be available free of charge, according to BMC Ecology's Open Access policy at: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6785/4/3
Please cite the journal in any story you write, and link to the article if you are writing for the web.
For further information about this study contact Dr Lee Smith, by email in the first instance, at LMSmith@cyllene.uwa.edu.au, or by phone on 61-89-346-1697
Alternatively, or for more information about the journal or Open Access publishing, contact Gemma Bradley by phone on 44-207-323-0323 or by email at press@biomedcentral.com
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