Blood Plasma Handling for Protein Analysis

Blood handling routines have been worked out that result in consistent protein analytic results in clinical practice. It would seem reasonable to build on this experience when devising handling routines for new protein biomarker discovery. Consequently, normal blood sample handling precautions apply to blood sample handling for new biomarker discovery. The blood sample handling protocol mentioned below describes room temperature, or 4�C, platelet poor EDTA plasma collected within 90 min of venipuncture, handled, and screened to eliminate hemolysis. DNA can be isolated from the “buffy coat” that results as blood cells are sedimented to isolate the plasma.