What is the best way to store my blood samples prior to DNA purification?
Whole blood samples treated with EDTA, citrate, or heparin can be used, and may be either fresh or frozen. Yield and quality of the purified DNA depend on storage conditions of the blood. Fresher blood samples yield better results. • For short-term storage (up to 10 days), collect blood in tubes containing EDTA as an anticoagulant, and store the tubes at 2-8°C. However, for applications requiring maximum fragment size, such as Southern blotting, we recommend storage at 2–8°C for up to 3 days only, as low levels of DNA degradation will occur after this time. • For long-term storage, collect blood in tubes containing a standard anticoagulant preferably EDTA, if high-molecular-weight DNA is required), and store at –70°C.
