The FTA family of products provides end-users with a proven, established range of effective tools and revolutionary solutions for the collection, purification and transportation of nucleic acids. FTA is a patented chemical treatment that allows for the rapid isolation of pure DNA. When samples are applied to FTA -treated paper, cell lysis occurs and high molecular weight DNA is immobilized within the matrix. In addition, bacteria and viruses are inactivated, rendering samples nonhazardous. A wide variety of samples can be applied including blood, plasma, bone marrow, bacteria, viruses, protozoa, cultured cells, plant material, mouse tail and tissue samples. Biological samples can be collected, transported and stored at room temperature, for over 14 years. Amplification or restriction enzyme digestion can be performed directly on discs of the treated paper without the need for extensive extraction procedures. Two colors are available; white FTA for colored samples such as blood and plant tissues, and indicating FTA (which changes from pink to white where the sample is applied) for colorless samples, such as bacteria. DNA remains immobilized on the cards while inhibitors and contaminants are washed away. Amplification is performed directly on washed discs punched from the FTA-treated paper.
A variety of FTA cards are available. TheFTA Classic card is a card measuring 3 x 3" (76 x 76mm), with four sample areas (each for up to 125µL of sample), designed for the collection and transportation of up to 500µL of whole blood or 100µL of plant homogenate. TheFTA Mini card has two sample areas, and theFTA Micro card has one sample area. The Micro FTA cards are available indicating (pink to white) or non-indicating white. TheFTA Gene card is designed for automated systems (when used with the Gene card tray), with three sample areas (each for up to 75µL) mounted in a chipboard frame. The Gene card tray holds two Gene cards. The plant-friendlyPlantSaver Card features a laminated flap that allows you to grind the plant sample into the FTA matrix without damaging the FTA Card. The PlantSaver comes in a classic card format.
Also available, designed in a 96-well format for high throughput applications, is theCloneSaver card, which allows the capture of BAC or plasmid DNA for long-term storage and downstream applications in one easy step. Utilizing the same technology as the FTA cards, researchers can store up to 96 samples of DNA at room temperature for years, on one card. Ongoing studies demonstrate that plasmid DNA stored on CloneSaver cards is stable at room temperature for at least four years, and counting. CloneSaver cards offer a convenient and accessible format for frequently used plasmid and BAC clones, and also provide a secure, reliable backup to glycerol stocks.
To use, simply apply 5µL bacterial culture, re-suspended colony, or glycerol stock to a CloneSaver card. The plasmid or BAC DNA is captured and stabilized for long-term storage or immediate processing. DNA can easily be eluted from the CloneSaver card, or a washed disc can be used directly in downstream applications. Regardless of the form, plasmid or BAC DNA can be used in both transformation and PCR protocols. Plasmid DNA immobilized on a CloneSaver punched disc, or just a few microliters of eluted product, can be used to transform bacteria, either by electroporation or heat-shock methods, or it can be used as a template for PCR. Since plasmid DNA remains bound to the matrix when a CloneSaver is used directly as a template, a single disc can be re-used up to three times. A simple rinse with deionized water makes a "used" CloneSaver disc suitable for subsequent reactions. Plasmid DNA stored and processed on CloneSaver is also suitable for isothermal amplification reactions. Purified plasmid, either on the disc or in eluted form, can be used in rolling circle amplification methods which generate enough plasmid for applica