How to preserve blood and/or serum for future checking of cytokine and/or the level of varoius protiens?

Question

I intend to collect blood samples from large number of mice for my experiment. I want to preserve these samples for several months because I may will need later to check the level of several protiens in it (by western blot or ELISA). What is the best way to preserve it? Freezing? Whole blood or serum or plasma? -80 degree or liquied nitrogen?
Thanks.

Answer 1

In our lab we draw the blood then spin it all down and separate it out, Plasma in on cryotube, buffies (wbc) in another, and RBCs in the last. All are then frozen at -80 until we need them. I have done experiements from blood that is 8 years old and still fine. Liquid nitrogen isn't needed if you only want to store for several months.

Answer 2

I think the labs that do the human blood tests are the best source for your answer here.

We normally collect the blood in a plain tube with gel (white topped tube if you use the same system as we do - which is unlikely) and I think the lab refrigerates it but not actually freezing it.

I shall try to find out.

Okay - our labs will usually refrigerate it at somewhere between 2-8 degrees Celcius unless a "serology hold" is requested - this is probably what would apply to your situation.

In the case of a serology hold - looking at the proteins and antibodies and such - they would freeze it in a normal freezer - about -10 degrees Celcius and they would be able to keep it for several months like that.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

I worked at a blood lab and they refrigerate the remaining serum.