Aliquoting Biological Samples The Right Way
A tissue sample like DNA, RNA, forensic samples, tissue bank materials, plasma, pathological specimens and zoological materials are extremely susceptible to damage. Also tissue storage of these samples could be a long-term one. Hence aliquoting samples could be a very good practice for these sensitive tissue samples. Aliquots protect a sample from multiple freeze or thaw cycles that could be taxing on the sample and from the sample being compromised or lost completely. Choose a company, which is well versed in preparing aliquots according to the client’s requirements. Their specialists must be dedicated to all the demands of precision aliquoting of samples. If aliquots are data-linked to their parent sample, an audit trail is established which further protects the sample in transit. The aliquot standards must conform to that set by regulatory boards like ‘Good Tissue Practice’. Also ‘Standard Operating Procedures’ with respect to naming and labeling of samples should be followed. Proper regulatory compliance should be followed to maintain aliquot integrity. Make sure the company you choose follows proper sample binding and labeling practices so that samples can be tracked at all times. Another important aspect of aliquoting is to ensure that when samples are not needed any longer, they are safely destroyed.
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