Substrates and methods for collection, stabilization and elution of biomolecules
A solid substrate for the extraction, stabilization, and storage of proteins is provided. The substrate includes: a polysaccharide, such as melezitose under a substantially dry state. The substrate is configured to extract proteins from a sample and stabilize the extracted proteins in a dry format under ambient conditions for a prolonged period of time. Methods for collecting and recovering the proteins stored in the dry solid substrate are also described.
1. A paper substrate for collection, stabilization and storage of a biological specimen or sample, the paper substrate consisting essentially of:
(a) a non-dissolvable material selected from the group consisting of cellulose, cellulose acetate and combinations thereof; and
(b) a trisaccharide impregnated in the non-dissolvable material.
2. The paper substrate of claim 1 , wherein the trisaccharide is melezitose, raffinose, maltotriulose, isomaltotriose, nigerotriose, maltotriose, kestose, or a combination thereof.
3. The paper substrate of claim 1 , wherein the trisaccharide is melezitose.
4. A method for extracting, stabilizing and eluting a biomolecule from a sample, the method comprising:
contacting the sample to the paper substrate of claim 1 ;
drying the sample to a water content of less than 2%; and
eluting the biomolecule from the sample dried on the paper substrate by rehydrating the paper substrate in an elution buffer,
wherein the biomolecule comprises a protein, a peptide, an amino acid, an enzyme, an antibody, or combinations thereof.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein 70 to 90% of the biomolecule is recovered from the substrate.
6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the biomolecule is eluted in an intact form.
7. The method of claim 4 , wherein the material is cellulose.
8. The paper substrate of claim 1 , wherein the material consists of cellulose.
9. The paper substrate of claim 1 , wherein the material consists of cellulose acetate.
10. The paper substrate of claim 1 , wherein the material consists of cellulose and the trisaccharide is melezitose.
11. The paper substrate of claim 1 , wherein the material is cellulose, and the trisaccharide is melezitose, raffinose, maltotriulose, isomaltotriose, nigerotriose, maltotriose, kestose, or a combination thereof.
12. The method of claim 4 , further comprising storing the dried sample on the substrate for several weeks.
13. The method of claim 4 , further comprising washing the substrate before eluting the biomolecule.
14. The paper substrate of claim 1 , wherein the paper substrate consists of the non-dissolvable material and the trisaccharide.