Clinical Report: One Blood Spot, Two Omics Readouts

Overview

A novel protocol allows simultaneous extraction of metabolites and lipids from a single dried blood spot. This method allows for the analysis of small or irreplaceable samples commonly used in newborn screening.

Background

Dried blood spots (DBS) are essential in newborn screening due to their minimal blood requirement and ease of handling. Traditional extraction methods typically focus on a single molecular class, limiting the analytical potential of these samples. The development of a dual-extraction protocol represents an advancement in maximizing the information obtained from DBS.

Data Highlights

The method utilizes a modified Folch extraction from a 10 µL dried blood spot, producing separate lipid and metabolite layers for analysis. The complete analysis requires approximately 90 minutes of instrument time per sample.

Key Findings

• The protocol enables the extraction of both metabolites and lipids from a single dried blood spot.
• Two layers are formed during extraction: lipids in the lower organic layer and metabolites in the upper aqueous layer.
• Reversed-phase liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry is employed for separate analysis of the extracts.
• Results are semiquantitative, allowing comparison of peak heights or areas between groups.
• Extraction trials showed comparable numbers of metabolite features across different samples.

Clinical Implications

This dual-extraction method could provide more comprehensive data from limited samples.

Conclusion

The development of this protocol allows for more detailed omics profiling from minimal sample volumes.

Related Resources & Content

1. Research Team, STAR Protocols, 2023 -- Protocol for untargeted multi-omics dried blood spot extraction using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry
2. the analytical scientist — One Drop Is All It Takes
3. the pathologist — One Drop Is All It Takes
4. ASCO Publications — Orthogonal Comparison of Four Plasma NGS Tests With Tumor Suggests Technical Factors are a Major Source of Assay Discordance
5. ASCO Publications — Orthogonal Comparison of Four Plasma NGS Tests With Tumor Suggests Technical Factors are a Major Source of Assay Discordance
6. One Drop Is All It Takes
7. Secretary Kennedy Adds Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Metachromatic Leukodystrophy to Newborn Screenings
8. https://www.hrsa.gov/about/news/press-releases/modernize-newborn-screening-review-process?utm_source=openai
9. Protocol for untargeted multi-omics dried blood spot extraction using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry - ScienceDirect