Cell-free DNA collection tube is a special kind of collection tube used to collect and preserve cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in blood. The following is a detailed introduction to it:

Working Principle

• Protecting the integrity of cfDNA: Cell-free DNA in the blood usually exists in the form of small fragments and is easily degraded by nucleases. The cell-free DNA collection tube contains special protective agents, such as anticoagulants such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and components that can inhibit nuclease activity, such as guanidine salts and citrate salts, to prevent cfDNA from being degraded after blood collection and ensure its integrity during storage and transportation.
• Separating and stabilizing cfDNA: The reagents in the collection tube can also, through specific chemical actions, separate cfDNA from other components in the blood, such as cells and proteins, and stably suspend it in the plasma, facilitating subsequent extraction and detection.

Characteristics

• High stability: It can stably preserve cfDNA for a long time, reducing the risk of cfDNA degradation due to improper storage conditions and ensuring the accuracy of the test results.
• Convenient and quick: Compared with traditional blood collection methods, the use of cell-free DNA collection tubes is simple, without the need for additional complex processing steps, and can be directly used for subsequent detection procedures after blood collection.
• Good compatibility: It is suitable for a variety of cell-free DNA detection technologies, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and next-generation sequencing (NGS), providing convenience for clinical detection and research.
• High safety: The design of the collection tube complies with the safety standards of medical devices, and is made of sterile and non-pyrogenic materials, reducing the risk of infection during the blood collection process.

Specific Applications

• Liquid biopsy of tumors: By detecting cfDNA in the blood, information such as gene mutations and methylation related to tumors can be obtained, realizing the early screening, diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and prognosis assessment of tumors.
• Prenatal diagnosis: There is fetal-derived cfDNA in the peripheral blood of pregnant women. After using the cell-free DNA collection tube to collect blood, non-invasive prenatal testing can be carried out by analyzing the cfDNA, such as detecting chromosomal abnormalities and single-gene genetic diseases of the fetus.
• Monitoring of organ transplantation: After organ transplantation, by regularly collecting the blood of the recipient, donor-derived cfDNA can be detected to realize the early monitoring and early warning of transplant rejection.
• Diagnosis of infectious diseases: After some pathogens infect the human body, their DNA will be released into the blood to form cfDNA. By collecting blood and using a cell-free DNA collection tube to preserve it, these pathogens can be detected and diagnosed.

Precautions for Use

• Blood collection operation: During blood collection, strict sterile operation procedures should be followed to ensure the accuracy of the blood collection volume, and avoid uneven contact between the blood and the inner wall of the collection tube, affecting the preservation effect of cfDNA.
• Storage conditions: The collected collection tubes should be stored and transported under the specified temperature and time. Generally, it is recommended to store at 4°C-8°C or a lower temperature and submit for testing as soon as possible.
• Expiration date: Pay attention to the expiration date of the collection tube. Expired collection tubes may affect the preservation quality of cfDNA and lead to inaccurate test results.
• Sample processing: During sample processing and detection, strict operating procedures should be followed to avoid the loss or contamination of cfDNA due to improper operation.

Development Trend

• Technological innovation: Continuously developing new protective agents and preservation technologies to further improve the stability and preservation time of cell-free DNA, while reducing costs and improving the sensitivity and specificity of detection.
• Multi-omics combined application: Combined with other omics technologies, such as proteomics and metabolomics, to achieve a more comprehensive and in-depth understanding and diagnosis of diseases.
• Personalized medicine: With the development of precision medicine, cell-free DNA collection tubes will play a more important role in personalized medicine, providing more accurate diagnosis and treatment plans for patients.