> Whatman FTA cards

FTA Cards contain chemicals that lyse cells, denature proteins and protect nucleic acids from nucleases, oxidation and UV damage. FTA Cards rapidly inactivate organisms, including blood-borne pathogens, and prevent the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms. Try FTA, and you'll soon find it's an indispensable part of your DNA toolbox. US Patent Nos. 5496562, 5756126, 5807527, 5972386, 5985327 and other patents pending

Features and Benefits

Electron micrograph showing DNA entrapped within the FTA matrix (magnification x 10,000).

Capture nucleic acid in one easy step

• Captured nucleic acid is ready for downstream applications in less than 30 minutes
• Nucleic acids collected on FTA Cards are stable for years at room temperature
• FTA Cards are stored at room temperature before and after sample application, reducing the need for laboratory freezers
• Suitable for virtually any cell type
• Indicating FTA Cards change colour upon sample application to facilitate handling of colourless samples
• FTA Cards are available in a variety of configurations to meet application requirements
• Custom configurations are available on request

pplications

• Forensics
• Transgenics
• Transfusion Medicine
• Plasmid Screening
• Food & Agriculture Testing
• Drug Discovery
• Genomics
• STR Analysis
• Animal Identification
• Diagnostics
• Pharmacogenomics
• Molecular Biology

Capture Nucleic Acids in One Easy Step

Simply apply your sample to the FTA Card. Cell membranes and organelles are lysed and the released nucleic acids are entrapped in the fibres of the card. The nucleic acids remain immobilized and are stabilized for transport, immediate processing or long-term room temperature storage.

Since captured nucleic acids are stabilized, FTA Cards facilitate sample collection in remote locations and simplify sample transport. For example, you can collect samples deep in a rain forest without worrying about immediate refrigeration. Ship your samples back to the lab without expensive special handling or dry ice, and process at your convenience.

Indicating FTA Cards are recommended for colourless samples. These FTA Cards change from pink to white when sample is applied, verifying the location of the sample.

FTA Cards Used With Virtually Any Sample Type

• Blood
• Cultured Cells
• Buccal Cells
• Plant Material
• Bacteria
• Plasmids
• Microorganisms
• Solid Tissue
• Viral Particles
• M13 Plaques
• ...and more

Captured Nucleic Acid is Ready for Downstream Applications in Less than 30 Minutes
Captured nucleic acids are ready for purification when you are. Just take a punch from the FTA Card, wash with FTA Purification Reagent and rinse with TE-1 buffer. DNA on the washed punch is ready to use in applications such as PCR, RFLP analysis and RT-PCR. Since PCR products remain in solution, the punch can be used for multiple amplifications.

Store Nucleic Acids at Room Temperature for Years
Genomic DNA stored on FTA Cards at room temperature for over 14 years (and counting) has been successfully amplified by PCR. In contrast, genomic DNA stored at room temperature on non-FTA Cards for over six months did not amplify.

Sample integrity is optimized when FTA Cards are stored in a Multi-Barrier Pouch with a Desiccant Packet.

FTA Cards offer a compact room-temperature storage system that reduces the need for precious freezer space.

FTA Classic Card 
Four sample areas for application of up to 500 µL whole blood or 100 µL plant homogenate per card. Convenient for multiple applications of the same specimen or collection of multiple animal or plant samples on one card. Different samples can be processed independently.

Indicating FTA Classic Card 
Same as FTA Classic Card with a colour indicator that changes from pink to white when sample is applied. Recommended for use with colourless samples such as buccal or culture cells.

FTA Mini Card 
Two sample areas for application of up to 250 µL whole blood or 50 µL plant homogenate per card. Convenient for protocols that require different locations for testing and archiving samples. Different samples can be processed independently.

Indicating FTA Mini Card 
Same as FTA Mini Card with a colour indicator that changes from pink to white when sample is applied. Recommended for use with clear samples such as buccal or culture cells.

FTA Micro Card 
One sample area for application of up to 125 µL whole blood or 25 µL plant homogenate per card. Recommended when only one sample is needed.

For Collection, Storage, Processing an Shipping FTA Cards

• For purification of nucleic acids stored on FTA Cards
• Ensures superior quality DNA for PCR or RFLP analysis
• Removes heme, PCR inhibitors and other potential contaminants
• Non-toxic, hypoallergenic aqueous solution

FTA Gene Card Tray

• Holds 2 FTA Gene Cards for use in automatic dispensing/pipetting systems
• Tray footprint conforms to SBS standards

 Harris Micro Punches

> Harris Micro Punches

Harris Micro Punches (1.2 mm or 2.0 mm) and Cutting Mat

• Recommended for the precise punching of FTA Cards. No sample carryover when recommended procedures are used. Tips provide up to 2000 punches. Polished steel tip is case hardened and can be sterilized. The cutting mat ensures clean sample cuts and extends the life of the cutting tip
• 1.2 mm punch recommended for use with FTA Cards containing whole blood and samples with high DNA content
• 2.0 mm punch recommended for use with FTA Cards containing buccal cells, plasmids and other samples with lower DNA content

Sterile Foam Tipped Applicator

• For the collection of saliva and buccal cells
• Non-abrasive foam head is same size as sample area on Indicating FTA Cards to facilitate sample application

Sterile Omni Swab

This is a non-invasive device for the collection of saliva and cheek buccal cells. Sterile Omni Swab features a unique brush-like swab head that easily ejects from the stem of the swab for transfer of samples into tubes and multiwell plates. Sterile Omni Swabs are pre-sterilized and individually wrapped for single use.

 Multi-Barrier Pouches

> Multi-Barrier Pouches

Multi-Barrier Pouches

Large

• For transporting or storing FTA Classic Cards
• Seven laminated layers that protect the card from exposure to gas or liquid contamination
• Tamper-evident seal maintains sample security
• Outer paper surface for labelling or writing

Small

• Same construction in a smaller size for storing FTA Gene Cards, Mini Cards or Micro Cards

FTA Card Mailer

• For use with the Multi-Barrier Pouches to transport FTA Cards in accordance with US Postal Service requirements

Storage Desiccant Packets

• Ensure that FTA Cards remain dry during transport or storage
• Changes from blue to pink to indicate absorption of moisture