FTA Cards in Molecular Research: Innovation in Sample Stability and Processing

Abstract

Flinders Technology Associates (FTA) is one of the recently developed technologies that lessen the critical steps in nucleic acid extractions and allows convenient storage of biological specimens for a long period of time. This review focuses on sample stability, processing efficiency and downstream molecular analysis. It highlights the benefits, limitations and future perspectives of integrating FTA cards into diverse fields. The technology comprises of several cotton based cards that promotes cell lysis and protein denaturation. The card types involve both indicating cards and normal cards with both having classic cards, mini cards, micro cards and elute micro cards which can all be processed using purification reagent. Biospecimens plays a vital role in molecular research quality upgrade, most of the traditional methods require costly materials as well as regular freezing and cryopreservation. However, FTA cards serves as alternative method to store many types of samples ranging from blood, tissue, cell culture and buccal samples at room temperature eliminating the need for freezing. It has many applications in molecular field such as direct polymerase chain reaction (PCR), sequencing, storage of microorganisms, short tandem repeat (STR) analysis as well as mutational analysis applied to many specimens like human, plants, parasites and microorganisms (bacteria, fungi and some viruses).

Keywords: DNA stabilization , FTA cards,  Nucleic acid preservation, PCR. STR analysis