Matrices and media for storage and stabilization of biomolecules
Inventors
Hogan, Michael • Saghbini, Michael • Wong, David
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-10160997-B2
Publication Date
2018-12-25
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention provides compositions useful for biomolecule storage comprising a water soluble inorganic compound, a stabilizer, or a combination thereof. The present invention also provides methods of using the compositions of the invention to store biomolecules in the dry state and in solution, as well as sample carriers and kits comprising compositions of the invention.
Core Innovation
The invention provides compositions and media for stabilizing biomolecules, particularly nucleic acids, using an aqueous medium that is in a liquid state. The aqueous medium includes boric acid or a corresponding salt of boric acid together with a plasticizer and a hydroxyl radical scavenger, where histidine is the plasticizer and the hydroxyl radical scavenger, and the aqueous medium further includes a microcidal compound.
The described aqueous medium can additionally include a reducing agent, a metal chelator, a detergent, and/or a chaotrope. The medium is described in different forms, including stabilization in dry solid-state matrices and in aqueous media, and packaging the medium in containers as kits. The medium and its optional components are described as being compatible with downstream processing such as nucleic acid amplification, nucleic acid digestion, and/or protein digestion.
The invention also provides methods of stabilizing biomolecules in aqueous solution by mixing a sample comprising biomolecules with the aqueous medium in a liquid state. The sample can be carried by a solid support or can be a solid tissue sample, and biomolecules include DNA, RNA, nucleic acids, polynucleotides, oligonucleotides, amino acids, peptides, or polypeptides.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims define two main inventive subjects: an aqueous liquid-state stabilization medium composition and a method of stabilizing biomolecules by mixing with that medium. Across the independent claims, two inventive features are emphasized, with dependent claims further adding compatibility/inertness and kit/sample-carrier formats.
Boric acid aqueous liquid stabilization medium with histidine plasticizer and hydroxyl radical scavenger plus microcidal compound
An aqueous medium in a liquid state comprising boric acid or a corresponding salt of boric acid, a plasticizer and a hydroxyl radical scavenger wherein histidine is the plasticizer and the hydroxyl radical scavenger, and a microcidal compound.
Method of stabilizing biomolecules in aqueous solution by mixing with boric acid medium containing histidine and microcidal compound
A method of stabilizing biomolecules in aqueous solution comprising mixing a sample comprising biomolecules with an aqueous medium in liquid state comprising boric acid or a corresponding salt of boric acid, a plasticizer and a hydroxyl radical scavenger wherein histidine is the plasticizer and the hydroxyl radical scavenger, and a microcidal compound.
Overall, the claim set centers on an aqueous liquid stabilization medium defined by boric acid or its corresponding salt combined with histidine used as both a plasticizer and hydroxyl radical scavenger, along with a microcidal compound, and on a corresponding method in which biomolecules are stabilized by mixing with that medium; dependent claims further specify optional additional chemical classes, compatibility with nucleic acid and protein processing, and kit/sample-carrier formats such as multi-well plates.
Stated Advantages
Maintains biomolecule integrity during storage conditions, including elevated temperature dry storage, with RNA stabilization reported and a no-matrix control showing degradation.
Documented Applications
Stabilizing nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) using dry storage and aqueous liquid media, with compatibility described for downstream nucleic acid amplification, nucleic acid digestion, and/or protein digestion.
Providing stabilization and assay kit formats including containers holding the aqueous medium and sample carrier formats configured as a multi-well plate.
Stabilizing biomolecules in aqueous solution by mixing biomolecules-containing samples, including samples carried by a solid support and solid tissue samples.
Interested in licensing this patent?