Matrices and media for storage and stabilization of biomolecules
Inventors
Hogan, Michael • Saghbini, Michael • Wong, David
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9637513-B2
Publication Date
2017-05-02
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 relates to compositions and dry-state matrices for stabilizing biomolecules, notably DNA and RNA, using a water-soluble inorganic compound together with stabilizers that include a singlet oxygen quencher, a hydroxyl radical scavenger, and hydroperoxide removing agents. The compositions can include additional stabilizers such as reducing agent and metal chelator and may include RNase inhibitors. The disclosed matrices can be formed as a solid or dry form and can be converted to a liquid form by suspending, re-hydrating, or solubilizing the matrix in water.
The dry-state matrices are described in forms including crystalline/paracrystalline dry-state matrices and non-glass-forming matrices, and the document also describes aqueous medium forms. The matrices are presented as being inert with respect to downstream nucleic-acid and protein analysis workflows. Sample carriers for holding biomolecule-containing samples in discrete matrix nodes and using barcoding are also described, together with kits.
A specific dry-state matrix formulation is described in which boric acid or a corresponding salt of boric acid is combined with a plasticizer and a hydroxyl radical scavenger, wherein histidine is the plasticizer and the hydroxyl radical scavenger. The document includes example formulations for RNA stabilization, including multi-component RNA-stabilizing formulations that incorporate boric acid/borate and histidine-type components.
Claims Coverage
The partial content contains one independent claim. It covers a dry-state matrix with specific component identities and a defined conversion capability to a liquid form in water.
Dry-state matrix with boric acid, histidine plasticizer, and hydroxyl radical scavenger
A dry-state matrix 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; wherein the matrix is in a solid or dry form which can be converted to a liquid form by suspending, re-hydrating, or solubilizing the matrix in water.
The inventive thrust is a boric acid-based dry-state matrix that uses histidine as both plasticizer and hydroxyl radical scavenger, while enabling conversion from a solid or dry form to a liquid form by suspending, re-hydrating, or solubilizing in water.
Stated Advantages
Stabilizes biomolecules, including DNA and RNA, during dry-state storage, including at elevated temperatures, compared with no-matrix controls as described in the examples.
Provides dry-state matrices that can be converted to a liquid form by suspending, re-hydrating, or solubilizing in water.
Is described as inert with respect to downstream nucleic-acid and protein analyses.
Documented Applications
Dry-state storage of biomolecules, including DNA recovery and RNA stabilization during dry-state storage at elevated temperatures, as shown in the examples.
Use with downstream nucleic-acid and protein analysis workflows described as compatible or inert with respect to downstream nucleic-acid and protein analyses.
Sample handling using sample carriers with discrete matrix nodes and optical barcodes, together with kits, for holding biomolecule-containing samples in association with the matrix.
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