Method of determining protein expression

Abstract

Provided are embodiments of a method for determining a serum protein biomarker profile of a subject patient comprising: wicking blood from a subject onto a fluid sample collecting comb consisting of a absorbent strips, each absorbent strip consisting of a fibrous absorbent wick configured to absorb a predetermined volume of blood; drying the blood samples on the wicks and eluting serum proteins into an elution buffer; determining the identities and levels of the extracted proteins by microarray analysis; comparing by computer the identities and levels of the extracted proteins with a reference database generated from the blood samples from a plurality of subjects collected by a fluid sample collecting comb and producing a computer-generated report of the identities and levels of the biomarkers of the subject and adjusting the treatment based on the identities and amounts of the protein biomarkers of the blood sample of the subject.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A biological fluid sample collector comprising a sample collecting comb, said comb consisting of a plurality of absorbent strips, wherein each absorbent strip consists of a fibrous absorbent wick having a proximal end disposed between and adhering to a first holding strip and a second holding strip and a distal end extending from the holding strips, and wherein the plurality of fibrous absorbent strips is disposed between a first gripping sheet and a second gripping sheet and wherein the plurality of fibrous absorbent strips are attached to the first gripping sheet and optionally the second gripping sheet. 
     
     
         15 . The biological fluid sample collector of  claim 14 , wherein the holding strips are attached to the fibrous absorbent wicks by an adhesive. 
     
     
         16 . The biological fluid sample collector of  claim 14 , wherein the extended distal end of each fibrous absorbent strip is configured to absorb about 20 μl of a liquid. 
     
     
         17 . The biological fluid sample collector of  claim 14  further comprising a foldable cover extending from the first gripping sheet and wherein the distal end of the foldable cover is removably secured to the second gripping sheet, thereby enclosing the plurality of fibrous absorbent strips of the sample collecting comb. 
     
     
         18 . The biological fluid sample collector of  claim 14 , wherein the distal end of the foldable cover has a tab configured to be removably receivable by a tab receiving slot in the second gripping sheet. 
     
     
         19 . The biological fluid sample collector of  claim 14 , wherein the sample collecting comb consists of five fibrous absorbent strips configured to absorb about 100 μl in total of a liquid. 
     
     
         20 . The biological fluid sample collector of  claim 14 , wherein the fibrous absorbent strips are comprised of absorbent paper, glass fibers, a fibrous polymer, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         21 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A method of obtaining a biological fluid sample from a subject animal or human comprising the steps of:
 (a) contacting a biological fluid from a subject animal or human with a sample collecting comb consisting of a plurality of fibrous absorbent strips, wherein each fibrous absorbent strip has a proximal end disposed between and adhering to a first holding strip and a second holding strip and a distal end extending from the holding strips, and wherein the plurality of fibrous absorbent strips is disposed between a first gripping sheet and a second gripping sheet and wherein the plurality of fibrous absorbent strips are attached to the first gripping sheet and optionally the second gripping sheet; and   (b) incubating the plurality of fibrous absorbent strips having the biological fluid sample absorbed thereon with an elution buffer, thereby eluting the biological fluid sample from the fibrous absorbent strips.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the extending distal end of each fibrous absorbent strip absorbs about 20 μl of a liquid. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the sample collecting comb of the biological fluid sample collector consists of five fibrous absorbent strips and step (a) comprises collecting about 100 μl of the biological fluid. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising the step of obtaining a biological fluid from the subject animal or human. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the biological fluid is blood. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising the step of drying the biological fluid samples absorbed on the five fibrous absorbent strips. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the elution buffer comprises phosphate buffer saline, a protease inhibitor, and a detergent.