Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
to assess optimal characteristics for your analytic
platform, but it is imperative to have detailed
annotation available to interpret the results.
Serum samples must be collected in tubes that
are free of additives. Options include plastic or
glass tubes without additives, serum separator
tubes (SSTs), or other tubes expressly designed
for serum.
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speci
c analytic platforms or diseases, especially
the more invasive sampling needed for lymph
fluid or tissue.
BLOOD-BORNE PATHOGENS,
UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS,
AND SAFETY
Human specimens are inherently risky to
handle. Blood-borne pathogens (BBP) can and
have been transmitted to health care and labora-
tory workers handling blood and other body
Plasma
Plasma provides the liquid portion of the
blood with cells and clotting factors undis-
turbed. Additives such as EDTA, heparin, or
sodium citrate prevent the blood from clotting
by binding to various components in the clotting
cascade.
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These additives can affect the protein
makeup in the plasma and/or activate platelets,
affecting or limiting the potential uses of these
samples in proteomic or genomic analysis.
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Additional challenges with plasma include the
need to completely
fluids. Diseases such as HIV, hepatitis, measles,
mumps, bacterial infections, and herpes can be
transmitted through contact with infected body
uid
contacting open wounds or mucous membranes
(such as mouth, nose, or eyes).
Universal precautions are best practices to
prevent accidental exposure to infectious agents,
including personal protective equipment (gloves,
lab coats, and eye protection); safe practices with
needles, glass, and other sharps that might have
human specimens on them; and use of decon-
taminating cleaning agents. All human speci-
mens should be treated as potentially infectious,
even those samples that have been processed or
frozen.
There are many sources of regulations as well
as practical guidelines (international, U.S., indi-
vidual U.S. states, and institutions) for prevent-
ing accidental exposure to transmittable diseases
while handling human specimens. A local Occu-
pational Safety and Health Administration of
fluids, most commonly by needle sticks or
fill the tubes during collec-
tion and mix them well because the additives
are calibrated to provide the optimum blood/
additive ratio.
8,15
It is important to understand
the underlying biology of the clotting cascade
and the potential impact of various additives
on the proteins of interest.
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Hemolyzed Samples
When red blood cells lyse, hemoglobin is
released into the serum or plasma, causing the
color to change from a soft yellow or gold to
pink or red. The release of cellular material due
to hemolysis into the serum or plasma may intro-
duce additional confounding factors in down-
stream analysis of such samples.
8
ce
is the best source for training and guidance prior
to handling human specimens.
HUMAN SUBJECT RESEARCH
PROTECTIONS
OTHER BIOSAMPLES
fluid, and tissue samples
provide additional sources of proteins of
interest; however, they are better suited to very
Urine, stool, lymph
In-depth discussion of the regulations in-
volved in the collection, use, storage, and
management
of
specimens
collected from
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