Hi,
Doug Rhodes enquired about collection devices for small quantities
of blood for use in PCR. I don't know of any small volume vacutainer
type devices but this little trick might help.
Before taking sample place a layer of vaseline or some other
hydrophobic grease on the skin at the sample site. punture the skin
through the grease and a small bead of blood will be produced. This
should have had no contact with the skin due to the grease and can
be easily removed using a capillary tube (approx 200ul).
Don't know if this will work but it is cheap and easy and might be
worth a try. BTW there is also a plastic film material called opsite
which surgeons use to prevent skin contamination of wounds. Apply
to skin and either cut or inject through it.
Hope this helps
Robert
Robert Burns
Monoclonal Antibody Unit
Scottish Agricultural Science Agency
East Craigs
Edinburgh
Scotland
burns at sasa.gov.uk
