Indicating FTA Cards

• Easy transfer and detection of colorless samples, such as buccal cells and saliva
• Improves process efficiency by enabling direct amplification for STR analysis
• Stabilization and protection of nucleic acids at room temperature

QIAcard FTA Indicating cards and QIAcard FTA Elute Indicating cards are designed to stabilize and protect nucleic acids at room temperature.

With FTA Elute, proteins and PCR inhibitors (e.g., hemoglobin) remain at the FTA Elute matrix while DNA is eluted from the matrix. DNA is eluted in water, ready for subsequent downstream application, e.g., PCR.

QIAcard FTA Elute Indicating Micro cards are a promising tool to help fight the current COVID-19 pandemic. FTA cards are a suitable device for SARS-CoV-2 sample collection due to high RNA recovery, RNA stability for 7 days at 20°C and 30°C, sensitive PCR detection of viral RNA compared to direct saliva processing, and the potential for virus inactivation through sample lysis.

Read the application note Elute FTA cards as a collection device for SARS-CoV-2 saliva samples.

QIAcard FTA CloneSaver card is designed in a 96-well format for the collection, long-term storage and purification of plasmid and BAC DNA from bacterial clones.

QIAcard FTA Wash Buffer is used for purifying nucleic acids stored on FTA cards.

QIAcard FTA Elute Buffer is designed for improved elution of nucleic acids from QIAcard FTA Elute formats.

FTA technology

FTA technology consists of two distinct chemistries, both with the ability to lyse cells on contact, denature proteins and protect DNA from degradation. FTA chemistry contains chemical denaturants and a free radical scavenger. With FTA, the DNA remains tightly bound while proteins and inhibitors are washed from the matrix.

Three options for DNA analysis

There are three options for DNA analysis with FTA cards: direct amplification, standard amplification with rinsing ("punch-in" method) and extraction of DNA from the card.

QIAcard FTA Indicating formats

The cards include a pink indicating dye that turns to white when a clear sample such as buccal cells or saliva is applied. The cards are used to collect, stabilize, process, transport and archive buccal DNA samples. There are 3 different card formats:

• Classic (4 sample areas per card)
• Mini (2 sample areas per card)
• Micro (1 sample area per card)

Each sample area of a card can be processed separately. This versatility of handling supports manual or automated processing and incorporation into current workflows.

For buccal DNA samples

Process efficiency of buccal samples is improved due to immediate DNA capture on the FTA card thereby enabling direct amplification for STR analysis. The included inert dye changes to white when a buccal sample or saliva is added allowing easy confirmation that a sample has been applied. Immediate stabilization and protection of nucleic acids is achieved for long-term archiving of samples at room temperature.

QIAcard FTA Elute Indicating format

FTA Elute Indicating cards are designed for room temperature collection, shipment, preservation and purification of nucleic acids from biological samples for PCR analysis. The FTA Elute cards contain a chaotropic salt to lyse cells on contact, denature proteins and protect DNA from degradation. Proteins remain tightly bound while DNA is eluted from the matrix.

• QIAcard FTA Elute Indicating Micro (1 sample area per card)

The Micro format is recommended when only one sample is needed. Eluted DNA can be used for STR analysis (standard amplification), sequencing and real-time PCR applications.

The QIAcard FTA Elute Indicating Micro includes an inert dye. The dye changes to white when a buccal sample or saliva is added for easy confirmation of sample application. Nucleic acids are immediately stabilized and protected for long term archiving of samples at room temperature.

QIAcard FTA CloneSaver

The QIAcard FTA CloneSaver 96-well format employs a filter-based method for archiving and purifying clones. The functions of —80°C freezers and purification kits are condensed to the size of an index card.

CloneSaver uses FTA technology to provide years of ambient clone archiving, with protection against and recovery from phage infection, to deliver analysis-quality DNA. Clones that are stored and purified using QIAcard FTA CloneSaver are suitable for many common downstream applications including PCR and transformation (electroporation and heat-shock).

QIAcard FTA Wash Buffer

QIAcard FTA Wash Buffer is used for purifying nucleic acids captured and stored on FTA cards. This versatile reagent is recommended for use with QIAcard FTA and Indicating FTA Card formats, and EasiCollect formats.

Proprietary chemistry that facilitates DNA release from the FTA matrix ensures high-quality DNA for STR analysis. A 500 ml bottle is available for an increased number of reactions. This reagent can be used to wash punches in the "punch-in" procedure for standard STR amplification. QIAcard FTA Wash Buffer allows for excellent results by removing PCR inhibitors and contaminants that can lower PCR yields.

QIAcard FTA Elute Buffer

QIAcard FTA Elute Buffer is designed for improved elution of nucleic acids from QIAcard FTA Elute formats. DNA eluted using the QIAcard FTA Elute Buffer is immediately suitable for sequencing and PCR applications such as qPCR and RT-qPCR as well as subsequent STR analysis (standard amplification).

Stored purified DNA bound to the matrix is eluted in 30 minutes. Nucleic acids from blood or saliva samples can be eluted in less than 40 minutes. The QIAcard FTA Elute Buffer simplifies the elution protocol and protects the nucleic acids from degradation.