BioStorage Technologies has initiated INTEGRITY study to measure effect of time, temperature and preparation methods on DNA and RNA samples when various preparation methods, storage temperatures and storage times are applied.
The 24-month study conducted at BioStorage Technologies’ global biorepository in Indianapolis will compare fresh samples, frozen pre-extracted samples and extracted nucleic acids, which require freeze/ thaw cycles for processing.
As part of the study, human whole blood samples will be analyzed, various storage temperatures and aliquoting strategies will be evaluated and reported over the length of the study.
BioStorage Technologies COO Lori Ball noted the INTEGRITY study has a unique comprehensive study design that will help provide the industry with recommended best practices and techniques to support the optimal preservation of DNA and RNA samples for prospective and retrospective research studies.
"Our goal is to determine the effects of various preparation methods on whole blood samples for nucleic acid extraction and the optimal length of time and best temperature to store samples for future research," Ball added.
Currently most studies have been designed to analyze the impact of a single temperature and have not been focused on the long-term effects of various temperatures, methods of freeze-thaw and storage time on DNA and RNA integrity within a single study.
BioStorage Technologies CEO Greg Swanberg said, "As an advocate for advancing the global biobanking industry, BioStorage Technologies has become an informational resource for best practices at all stages of the sample management life-cycle, and with the INTEGRITY Study we hope to provide data-driven research in a comprehensive single-study format that has never before been done."