Stable Protein Storage and Stable Nucleic Acid Storage in Recoverable Form

Abstract

The invention provides compositions and methods for storage of biomolecules. The biomolecules are stored via absorption to a substrate. Absorbed biomolecules can be eluted or recovered from the substrate at a future time, and optionally be subjected to a subsequent analysis or application. Biomolecules absorbed to a substrate for storage may also optionally be preserved, i.e., the absorbed biomolecule is resistant to or resists degradation.

1 - 5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . A composition comprising a porous or semi-porous elastomeric substrate and a peptide or a nucleic acid absorbed to the elastomeric substrate, wherein:
 the elastomeric substrate is substantially free of moisture;   the peptide or nucleic acid absorbed to the elastomeric substrate has higher resistance to degradation than a peptide or a nucleic acid not absorbed to the elastomeric substrate; and   at least a portion of the absorbed peptide or nucleic acid is recoverable from the elastomeric substrate.   
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein the elastomeric substrate comprising the peptide or nucleic acid absorbed thereto contains less than 25% water by mass relative to the total mass of the absorbed substrate. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein the peptide or nucleic acid absorbed to the elastomeric substrate resists degradation for at least 5 weeks at ambient temperature. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein at least 30% of the peptide or nucleic acid absorbed to the elastomeric substrate is recoverable from the substrate. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein the peptide or nucleic acid is isolated or purified peptide or nucleic acid. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein the peptide or nucleic acid is part of a biological sample. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the biological sample comprises cells, a tissue, biopsied cells or tissue, skin cells, a tumor, blood, serum, plasma, saliva, sputum, mucus, cerebrospinal fluid, semen, urine, stool, hair, a bacterium, a virus, a yeast, or a mycoplasma. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein the elastomeric substrate comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyester, polystyrene, polyurethane, and polyvinyl alcohol. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein the elastomeric substrate is a foam or a sponge. 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein the material comprising the elastomeric substrate is reversibly compressible to at least ½ of the volume of the material in a non-compressed state. 
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein the material comprising the elastomeric substrate is reversibly expandable to at least 2-fold the volume of the material in a non-expanded state. 
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein the elastomeric substrate is contained in a container. 
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 17 , wherein the container is a well, a vial or a tube. 
     
     
         19 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein the elastomeric substrate further comprises a substance selected from the group consisting of buffers, chelating agents, denaturing agents, detergents, reducing agents, antioxidants, preservatives, stabilizing agents, protease inhibitors, nuclease inhibitors, anti-microbials, and low-water uptake saccharides.