Department of Pathology

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Browsing Department of Pathology by Author "Abulfathi, Fatima Adam"

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    Evaluation and validation of room temperature biospecimens transportation and storage technologies as an alternative cost effective solution to cold chain logistics and storage within biobanking and/or diagnostics
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-03) Abulfathi, Fatima Adam; Swanepoel, Carmen Catherine-Ann; Grewal, Ravnit Kuar; Abayomi, Akin; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Pathology: Haematological Pathology
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT : Background: Cold chain management (CCM) is an important aspect of biobanking operation. However challenges such as constant power failure, limited access to dry ice transport and storage of human samples collected at various sites all over the world or at difficult out of reach places. and liquid nitrogen, transport logistics and courier delays especially in Africa becomes a major challenge. Ensuring samples are maintained at the proper temperature throughout all processes is imperative to maximal long term viability and usability. Thus we consider room temperature storage (RTS) technologies as an innovative, cost effective and green alternative to cold chain logistics. Methods: Various room temperature storage technologies were evaluated for the stabilization and storage of whole blood DNA and RNA, buffy coat, genomic DNA and urine DNA. The stabilizers include the Biomatrica liquid gard technology and dry matrix technology as well as DNAgenotek Hemagene buffy-coat stabilizers, Paxgene RNA and Norgen urine tubes. Samples were stored with and without a stabilizer under different temperature conditions namely room temperature, 45oC,-80oC, -20oC and liquid nitrogen (- 196oC) over different time periods to determine effect on sample integrity and quality. At the end of each time point DNA/RNA was extracted and the integrity of the samples determined by assessing the concentration, purity and integrity. Further downstream analysis such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), quantitative real time PCR and DNA sequencing was conducted. In addition, a shipping cost analysis between satellite sites in African and our biobank was done to compare frozen and room temperature shipping. Results The study results show that sample integrity/quality for biospecimens stored at room temperature with stabilizers were comparable and more cost effective than cold chain storage systems. In addition some stabilizers showed better stabilizing properties than others. Conclusion: Room temperature storage provides an innovative and cost effective method of storage and shipping to cold chain management systems (CCM). Green technologies forms a small part of biobanking operations however its results would be beneficial as low energy options for biobanking are particular critical in low resource settings which have infrastructural challenges. In turn, it would also be a more cost-effective option for the transport and storage of human samples collected at various sites all over the world or at difficult out of reach places.