A note on the use of FTA™ technology for storage of blood samples for DNA analysis and removal of PCR inhibitors

Abstract

FTA™ technology is widely used across many molecular disciplines for sample capture, storage and analysis. The use of this technology for the long-term storage of blood samples for DNA analysis was examined as well as its potential to remove inhibitors from DNA samples previously extracted from blood with PCR inhibitors remaining. It was found that blood spots stored on FTA™ cards for 8 years at room temperature gave successful PCR products and that FTA™ cards are a useful tool for removing substances in samples which interfere with or inhibit, the PCR reaction.