QIAGEN QIAcard FTA Product Sheet

Sample to Insight__

January 2021

Product Sheet

QIAcard® FTA®

Description

The QIAcard FTA variants are intended for molecular biology applications. This product is not
intended for the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of a disease.

FTA cards are designed for room temperature collection, shipment, archiving,
nucleic acids from a wide variety of biological samples for
limited to) blood, buccal cells, tissue,
impregnated with a chemical formula that lyses cell membranes and denatures proteins upon
contact. QIAcard FTA variants are available in several formats, such as Classic, Mini, Micro,
Gene, and PlantSaver.

Indicating FTA cards turn from pink to white upon sample application and are recommended for
colorless samples. To use FTA cards, simply apply sample (liquid or pressed tissue), air-dry at room
temperature, and then remove a small punch (the size of which needs to be determined by
application). The punch is either washed and used in PCR-based analysis, or can be used without
washing in a direct amplification (see below for protocols).

cultured cells, microorganisms, and plant tissue. FTA cards are

PCR analysis. These include (but are not

and purification of

Directions for use

FTA products allow biological sample preservation whilst sampling and

[

at ambient conditions (298.15 K

0.986 atm). FTA products protect the DNA of biological samples from degradation by DNA
degrading microorganisms. Samples can then be stored and preserved at room temperature
(20–25°C).

25°C, 77°F

])

and an

absolute pressure of 100 kPa (14.504 psi,

shipping via regular mail,

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It is a violation of Federal Law to use this product inconsistently with its labelling. For sample
protection, always wear gloves when handling FTA cards. This is for research use only, not for
use in diagnostic procedures. See the accompanying information or the outer container for
additional use information. FTA cards allow shipping and handling of DNA at ambient
conditions without fear of sample degradation or contamination caused by DNA degrading
microorganisms. Samples can be stored at room temperature. Shipping is done via regular mail
according to the guidance in the Legal section below.

Important: FTA cards are not intended for elution of nucleic acids. For elution of nucleic
acids from cards, please use FTA Elute cards, e.g., QIAcard FTA Elute Indicating Micro
(cat. no. WB120411 or WB120412).

Shipping and Storage

The FTA cards are shipped at room temperature. Store unused cards in original packaging in a
cool, dry, clean environment. After applying samples, allow them to dry, and then store securely at
room temperature in a dry environment, away from food or feedstock. When stored correctly,
the FTA Cards are good until the expiration date printed on the kit box lid.

Card disposal

Safe disposal of used FTA cards should be accomplished in accordance with all local,
state/provincial, and/or national regulations regarding waste disposal. Do not reuse the FTA
card. Do not dispose it in the regular trash.

Quality Control

In accordance with QIAGEN’s ISO-certified Quality Management System, each lot of FTA
cards is tested against predetermined specifications to ensure consistent product quality.

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Safety Information

When working with chemicals, always wear a suitable lab coat, disposable gloves, and
protective goggles. For more information, please consult the appropriate safety data sheets
(SDSs). These are available online in convenient and compact PDF format at
www.qiagen.com/safety, where you can find, view, and print the SDS for each QIAGEN kit
and kit component.

Procedure

Application of blood samples (fresh whole blood, or with the anticoagulants: EDTA, sodium
citrate, ACD, or heparin)

1. Label the FTA card with the appropriate sample identification.

2. Drop the blood (spot volume: <125 µl for QIAcard FTA Classic, Mini, and Micro; <75 μl
for QIAcard FTA Gene; and 12–40 µl for QIAcard FTA Elute Micro) onto the card in a
concentric circular motion within the printed circle area. Avoid “puddling” of the liquid
sample as it will overload the chemicals on the card. Also, do not rub or smear the blood
onto the card.

3. Dried blood spots will appear darker than freshly spotted ones.

Note: The recommended drying time for samples is not less than three hours at room
temperature. This period has been determined by following the drying time of 125 µl of
whole human blood at 18–22°C and 60% relative humidity using a sample weight loss
method. Users will need to determine whether different sample types or volumes or
different local conditions will require longer or shorter drying times. Prior to shipping of
samples, it is highly recommended that they be allowed to dry completely. Do not heat to
shorten the drying period.

4. Samples applied to FTA cards are now ready either for immediate downstream processing or
archiving at room temperature.

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Collection and application of buccal cell samples

1. Place the FTA card (QIAcard FTA indicating is recommended) on a clean, dry, flat
surface. Label the FTA card with appropriate sample identification.

2. Remove a suitable swab, such as Foam Swabs, Sterile (cat. no. WB100032) from the
protective packaging according to instructions.

3. Hold the plastic handle of the swab, place the foam tip in the mouth, and run the foam
tip along the fold of the cheek and under the tongue, soaking up as much saliva as
possible. Then rub one side of the foam tip on the inside of the cheek for 15 s. Repeat
using the opposite side of the foam tip for the other cheek. Run the foam tip along the
fold of the cheek and under the tongue, soaking up as much saliva as possible. Remove
the swab from the mouth.

4. Lift the paper cover of the QIAcard FTA Indicating to expose the pink sample area. Press
the flat surface of the Foam Swab tip within the sample circle area. Without lifting the
foam tip from the card, squeeze the tip using a side-to-side rocking motion (90° in each
direction) 3 times to completely saturate the sample area. Turn the foam over and repeat
with the other side of the foam tip within the same circle. The sample area will turn white
indicating the location of sample.

5. If not using QIAcard FTA Indicating formats, circle the area of the sample location with a
ballpoint pen or pencil.

6. Discard the swab according to laboratory procedure. Do not place the foam swab into
the mouth after it has touched the FTA card.

7. If buccal cells are to be applied to more than one FTA circle area, use a new swab and
repeat steps 1–6.

8. After drying, samples applied to FTA cards are now ready either for immediate
downstream processing or archiving at room temperature.

Note: The recommended drying time for samples is not less than three hours at room
temperature. This period has been determined by following the drying time of 125 µl of
whole human blood at 18–22°C and 60% relative humidity using a sample weight loss
method. Users will need to determine whether different sample types or volumes or