Method of Pooling and/or Concentrating Biological Specimens for Analysis

Abstract

The present invention provides methods for concentrating and pooling liquid suspensions of biological specimens containing analytes of interest in a dry state. The dried biological specimens containing analytes of interest are reconstituted and released from the matrix for subsequent analysis in concentrated form.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of determining the presence of an analyte of interest in a pooled biological specimen formed on a matrix by applying a sample volume of each of a plurality of unique biological specimens onto the matrix and drying the plurality of unique biological specimens, the method comprising:
 (a) obtaining the matrix containing the dried pooled biological specimen;   (b) reconstituting the pooled biological specimen on the matrix with a controlled volume of a reconstitution fluid, thereby forming a reconstituted pooled biological specimen, wherein the controlled volume is less than a combined volume of the sample volumes of the plurality of unique biological specimens applied to the matrix before being dried, so that the reconstituted pooled biological specimen is in a concentrated state; and   (c) determining if the analyte of interest is present in a testing volume of the reconstituted pooled biological specimen.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the controlled volume is substantially equal to the sample volume of one of the unique biological specimens. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the controlled volume is less than an absorption capacity of the matrix. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the testing volume is less than the controlled volume. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the testing volume is substantially equal to the controlled volume divided by the combined volume and multiplied by the sample volume. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the analyte of interest is present in the testing volume in a concentration commensurate with one of the plurality of unique biological specimens. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the analyte of interest is selected from the group consisting of nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, whole cells, cellular fragments, whole virus and viral fragments, antibodies and antibody fragments, prions, bacteria, and parasites. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the analyte of interest is a nucleic acid comprising DNA or RNA. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the unique biological specimens is selected from the group consisting of whole blood, plasma, serum, lymph, synovial fluid, urine, saliva, sputum, semen, vaginal lavage, bone marrow cerebrospinal cord fluid, physiological body liquids, pathological body liquids, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the unique biological specimens are from the same individual. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the unique biological specimens are pooled from a plurality of individuals. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the reconstitution fluid comprises 1× phosphate buffered saline (PBS) or nuclease-free water optionally with the addition of sodium azide or other antimicrobial agent. 
     
     
         13 . A method of reconstituting a pooled biological specimen formed on a matrix by applying a sample volume of each of a plurality of unique biological specimens onto the matrix and drying the plurality of unique biological specimens, the method comprising:
 (a) obtaining the matrix containing the dried pooled biological specimen;   (b) reconstituting the pooled biological specimen on the matrix with a controlled volume of reconstitution fluid, thereby forming a reconstituted pooled biological specimen, wherein the controlled volume is less than a combined volume of the sample volumes of the plurality of unique biological specimens applied to the matrix before being dried, so that the reconstituted pooled biological specimen is in a concentrated state.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the controlled volume is substantially equal to the sample volume of one of the unique biological specimens. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the controlled volume is less than an absorption capacity of the matrix. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the unique biological specimens are pooled from a plurality of individuals. 
     
     
         17 . A method of determining the presence of an analyte of interest in a pooled biological specimen contained on a matrix, wherein the pooled biological specimen comprises resulting solids of a sample volume of each of a plurality of unique biological specimens applied to and dried on the matrix, the method comprising:
 (a) obtaining the matrix containing the dried pooled biological specimen;   (b) reconstituting the pooled biological specimen on the matrix with a controlled volume of a reconstitution fluid, thereby forming a reconstituted pooled biological specimen, wherein the controlled volume is less than a combined volume of the sample volumes of the plurality of unique biological specimens applied to the matrix before being dried, so that the reconstituted pooled biological specimen is in a concentrated state; and   (c) determining if the analyte of interest is present in a testing volume of the reconstituted pooled biological specimen.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the controlled volume is substantially equal to the sample volume of one of the unique biological specimens. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the controlled volume is less than an absorption capacity of the matrix. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the testing volume is substantially equal to the controlled volume divided by the combined volume and multiplied by the sample volume.