Collection, storage and purification

> Whatman FTA cards

FTA Cards contain chemicals that lyse cells, denature proteins and protect nucleic acids from nucleases, oxidation and UV damage. FTA Cards rapidly inactivate organisms, including blood-borne pathogens, and prevent the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms. Try FTA, and you'll soon find it's an indispensable part of your DNA toolbox. US Patent Nos. 5496562, 5756126, 5807527, 5972386, 5985327 and other patents pending

> Electron micrograph showing DNA entrapped within the FTA matrix (magnification x 10,000).

Features and Benefits

• Capture nucleic acid in one easy step
• Captured nucleic acid is ready for downstream applications in less than 30 minutes
• Nucleic acids collected on FTA Cards are stable for years at room temperature
• FTA Cards are stored at room temperature before and after sample application, reducing the need for laboratory freezers
• Suitable for virtually any cell type
• Indicating FTA Cards change colour upon sample application to facilitate handling of colourless samples
• FTA Cards are available in a variety of configurations to meet application requirements
• Custom configurations are available on request

Applications

• Forensics
• Transgenics
• Transfusion Medicine
• Plasmid Screening
• Food & Agriculture Testing
• Drug Discovery
• Genomics
• STR Analysis
• Animal Identification
• Diagnostics
• Pharmacogenomics
• Molecular Biology

Capture Nucleic Acids in One Easy Step

Simply apply your sample to the FTA Card. Cell membranes and organelles are lysed and the released nucleic acids are entrapped in the fibres of the card. The nucleic acids remain immobilized and are stabilized for transport, immediate processing or long-term room temperature storage.

Since captured nucleic acids are stabilized, FTA Cards facilitate sample collection in remote locations and simplify sample transport. For example, you can collect samples deep in a rain forest without worrying about immediate refrigeration. Ship your samples back to the lab without expensive special handling or dry ice, and process at your convenience.

Indicating FTA Cards are recommended for colourless samples. These FTA Cards change from pink to white when sample is applied, verifying the location of the sample.

FTA Cards Used With Virtually Any Sample Type

• Blood
• Cultured Cells
• Buccal Cells
• Plant Material
• Bacteria
• Plasmids
• Microorganisms
• Solid Tissue
• Viral Particles
• M13 Plaques
• ...and more

Captured Nucleic Acid is Ready for Downstream Applications in Less than 30 Minutes
Captured nucleic acids are ready for purification when you are. Just take a punch from the FTA Card, wash with FTA Purification Reagent and rinse with TE-1 buffer. DNA on the washed punch is ready to use in applications such as PCR, RFLP analysis and RT-PCR. Since PCR products remain in solution, the punch can be used for multiple amplifications.

Store Nucleic Acids at Room Temperature for Years
Genomic DNA stored on FTA Cards at room temperature for over 14 years (and counting) has been successfully amplified by PCR. In contrast, genomic DNA stored at room temperature on non-FTA Cards for over six months did not amplify.

Sample integrity is optimized when FTA Cards are stored in a Multi-Barrier Pouch with a Desiccant Packet.

FTA Cards offer a compact room-temperature storage system that reduces the need for precious freezer space.

FTA Classic Card
Four sample areas for application of up to 500 µL whole blood or 100 µL plant homogenate per card. Convenient for multiple applications of the same specimen or collection of multiple animal or plant samples on one card. Different samples can be processed independently.

Indicating FTA Classic Card
Same as FTA Classic Card with a colour indicator that changes from pink to white when sample is applied. Recommended for use with colourless samples such as buccal or culture cells.

FTA Mini Card
Two sample areas for application of up to 250 µL whole blood or 50 µL plant homogenate per card. Convenient for protocols that require different locations for testing and archiving samples. Different samples can be processed independently.

Indicating FTA Mini Card
Same as FTA Mini Card with a colour indicator that changes from pink to white when sample is applied. Recommended for use with clear samples such as buccal or culture cells.

FTA Micro Card
One sample area for application of up to 125 µL whole blood or 25 µL plant homogenate per card. Recommended when only one sample is needed.

Indicating FTA Micro Card
Same as FTA Micro Card with a colour indicator that changes from pink to white when sample is applied. Recommended for use with clear samples such as buccal or culture cells.

FTA Gene Card
An FTA card enclosed in a rigid card frame. Three sample areas for application of up to 225 µL whole blood or 30 µL plant homogenate per card. Can be utilized in many automatic dispensing/pipetting systems when used with the FTA Gene Card Tray (WB100030).

PlantSaver™ FTA Card
Plant friendly FTA Card, in a Classic Card format. Features a laminated flap that allows you to vigorously pound the plant sample into the FTA matrix without damaging the FTA Card.

FTA Kit
Includes: 25 FTA Micro Cards, 2 vials purification reagent (25 mL), 2 Harris Uni-Core Punches with cutting mat, instructions.

FTA Plant Kit
Includes: 20 FTA PlantSaver cards, one Uni-Core Punch 2.0mm and cutting mat, 2 x 25mL FTA purification reagent, one pair of nitrile gloves and one cutting mat and round bottom test tube for sample application.

FTA Starter Pack
Includes: 1 FTA Classic Card, 1 FTA Mini Card, 1 FTA Micro Card, 1 Indicating FTA Mini Card, 1 FTA Indicating Micro Card, 2 foam-tipped applicator swabs, 1 multi-barrier pouch and desiccant, 1 vial purification reagent (25 mL), 2 Harris Uni-Core Punches with cutting mat, instructions.