Functional transcriptomics in 17 year-old blood samples? Yes, we can! -Long-term RNA in situ stability in blood samples collected in PAXgene Blood RNA Tubes (PreAnalytiX GmbH) collected in 2003

Abstract

Analysis of blood RNA transcription profiles is hindered by ex vivogene expression changes, as well as degradation and loss of RNA over time during specimen transportation and storage. The PAXgeneBlood RNA System was developed by PreAnalytiXto overcome these problems. So far, quality control data has shown that the PAXgene Blood RNA System stabilizes and preserves RNA in blood specimens for up to 11 years of storage at-20°C and -70°C. To enable transcriptomic analyses, the Norwegian Women And Cancer (NOWAC) Post-genome Cohort chose the PAXgene Blood RNA Tubes for a nationwide blood sampling in 2003.