extracting DNA and RNA from dried blood microsamples

by Neoteryx Microsampling on Jun 27, 2018 2:24:00 AM

Extracting High-Quality DNA and RNA from Dried Blood Microsamples

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a computer illustration of DNA strings

For decades, genomic studies have depended on venous blood draws into tubes. This approach works, but it comes with familiar drawbacks:

Needle sticks can cause pain or anxiety for donors.
Samples typically require rapid processing, cold-chain shipping, and refrigerated or frozen storage to preserve DNA/RNA quality.
Large volumes and logistics make frequent or decentralized sampling difficult and expensive.

Dried blood microsampling offers a different path. Instead of filling tubes with liquid blood, a few drops from a finger stick are absorbed onto a small sampling surface, dried at ambient temperature, and then shipped to the lab.

Why Dried Blood Is a Powerful Matrix for DNA and RNA

Multiple studies and field experiences have shown that dried blood is a robust matrix for nucleic acids:

Dried blood microsamples can provide stable DNA and RNA for downstream analysis without the stringent time and temperature requirements associated with wet blood. (Neoteryx)
Research described in Neoteryx content indicates that DNA and RNA can still be extracted from dried blood even after long-term storage, including reports of successful extraction from samples stored up to 10 years, with best results when samples are stored at room temperature and moderate humidity. (Neoteryx)
Other work has shown that DNA in dried blood can remain viable for months, even under elevated temperatures and humidity, further supporting decentralized and remote workflows. (Neoteryx)

Because the sample is dried and stabilized on a small device, it is easier to ship by regular mail and store without frozen infrastructure, while still providing DNA and RNA suitable for many molecular applications.

DBS Cards vs Volumetric Absorptive Microsampling (VAMS®)

Classic dried blood spots (DBS) on filter paper have been used for decades, but they present some challenges:

Inconsistent spot size and spreading on DBS (dried blood spot) cards can make it difficult to know exactly how much blood is being analyzed.
Punching discs from DBS cards can be labor-intensive and may introduce variability between punches. (Neoteryx)

Volumetric Absorptive Microsampling (VAMS®) was developed to solve these issues:

Mitra microsampling devices based on volumetric absorptive microsampling (VAMS) technology use a porous, hydrophilic “precision sponge” tip that absorbs a fixed volume of blood—typically 10, 20, or 30 µL (microliters)—regardless of the donor’s hematocrit level, with quantitative sampling precision (RSD ≤ 5%). (Neoteryx)
Once the VAMS tip is visibly filled, it contains a known volume of blood that can be dried and sent to the lab, enabling more accurate and reproducible quantitation than non-volumetric dried blood spot (DBS) samples. (Neoteryx)
Dried Mitra microsamples do not require cold-chain shipping and can be stored dry, simplifying logistics for large, multi-site, or at-home sampling studies. (Neoteryx)

For DNA and RNA work, this volumetric control is especially useful when labs need predictable input volumes for extraction and downstream molecular assays (analytical tests performed after extraction, such as sequencing or qPCR).

Can You Really Extract DNA and RNA from Dried Blood Microsamples?

Yes. Published technical documents and application notes have demonstrated that high-quality DNA and RNA can be isolated from dried blood collected on Mitra microsampling devices:

A third-party application note from Norgen Biotek showed that both DNA and RNA can be extracted from Neoteryx Mitra microsampling devices and used for downstream molecular tests, including SNP analysis and RNA expression studies.
Dried blood microsampling yields viable DNA and RNA for omics research, and that DNA in dried blood can persist for extended periods, even under challenging environmental conditions.

These findings confirm that dried blood microsamples, when collected and stored appropriately, can serve as a practical source of nucleic acids for a wide range of studies.

From Dried Microsample to DNA/RNA: A High-Level Workflow

Each lab must validate its own protocols and choice of extraction kits, but most workflows for DNA/RNA from dried blood microsamples follow a similar high-level path:

Collect a fixed-volume microsample
- A study participant or clinical staff member uses a Mitra device (or another dried blood tool) to absorb a controlled volume of capillary blood from a finger-stick or other sampling site.
Dry, store, and ship at ambient temperature
- The filled Mitra device is placed back into its protective housing or specimen bag with desiccant and allowed to dry.
- Once dry, the microsample can be stored and shipped at room temperature, typically by standard postal services.
Extract DNA/RNA in the laboratory
- In the lab, the dried microsample is transferred into an extraction vessel, and reagents are added according to the chosen DNA or RNA isolation kit.
- Neoteryx’s general extraction guidelines describe protocols based on analyte properties (e.g., LogP) and show that extraction recoveries of 80% or greater can be achieved with appropriate solvent selection and mild optimization.
- For RNA-focused studies, labs can further enhance sample integrity by using an RNA stabilization solution, such as GenTegraRNA-NEO (https://www.neoteryx.com/gentegra-rna-neo), to pretreat VAMS tips on Mitra devices. This Active Chemical Protection™ technology is designed to help preserve RNA in dried blood microsamples at ambient temperatures for up to 7 days before extraction, reducing reliance on cold-chain logistics and supporting remote, decentralized RNA research.
Run downstream molecular assays
- Isolated nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) can be used in standard techniques such as PCR (polymerase chain reaction), qPCR (quantitative PCR), genotyping, RNA expression analysis, or sequencing, as demonstrated in multiple application notes and partner collaborations using Mitra microsamples.

This high-level workflow mirrors traditional molecular pipelines but replaces tubes of liquid blood with room-temperature-stable dried microsamples.

Where Dried Blood DNA/RNA Microsampling Is Making an Impact

Dried blood microsampling with Mitra devices is being used or explored in several domains:

Genetic profiling and identity verification
- A poster from Promega researchers described a procedure for reliably performing genetic profiling on blood microsamples collected with Mitra devices using VAMS technology, demonstrating that short tandem repeat (STR) profiling and similar identity tests can be performed on dried microsamples.
Remote genomics and “genetic makeup” studies
- Neoteryx content comparing dried blood and saliva sampling notes that dried blood collected with Mitra microsampling devices is particularly well suited to genomic sequencing, and that dried blood has shown impressive DNA stability for weeks at room temperature—ideal for mail-based, at-home genetic research.
Whole-genome expression profiling and transcriptomics
- A 2025 joint announcement from Neoteryx and Cellecta introduced a kit that profiles expression of roughly 19,000 human protein-coding genes from about 30 µL of dried blood, using Mitra microsampling devices paired with targeted RNA sequencing.
Multi-omics: metabolomics, proteomics, lipidomics, and more
- Dried blood microsamples from Mitra devices have been used in metabolomics and other omics workflows, including studies that track lifestyle-associated changes in health and evaluate analyte stability across different storage temperatures and durations.

Together, these examples show that dried blood microsampling is not just a theoretical concept—it is already supporting real-world DNA, RNA, and broader omics research.

Traceability, Compliance, and Remote Workflows

Beyond technical performance, traceability and regulatory alignment are critical in genomic and molecular studies:

Barcoded Mitra devices and collection kits
- Mitra devices are available in formats that include unique barcodes and specimen bags with desiccant, supporting chain-of-custody and sample traceability as microsamples move from home or clinic to the laboratory.
- Microsample collection kits bundle barcoded devices with lancets, instructions, and mailers, enabling secure at-home or remote sampling with straightforward logistics.
Regulatory status and intended use
- Mitra devices are CE-IVD (IVDR) devices intended as specimen collectors and for the storage and transport of blood and other biological fluids for analytical and diagnostic purposes, in multiple regions, including the EU, UK, and several other countries.
- In the United States, Mitra devices and associated kits are supplied as research-use-only (RUO) products, meaning laboratories must validate their use for any intended diagnostic testing.

By combining barcoding, dried-state stability, and clear regulatory positioning, Mitra-based dried blood microsampling can improve traceability and support compliance with evolving expectations in research and regulated environments.

Bringing It All Together: Tiny Blood Spots, Big Discoveries

Dried blood microsampling enables the extraction of high-quality DNA and RNA from as few as 5 microliters of blood collected via a simple finger stick. Stable, room-temperature-dried microsamples reduce logistical barriers, support remote and decentralized study designs, and open the door to genomic, transcriptomic, and multi-omics research that would be difficult to run using traditional phlebotomy alone.

Mitra microsampling devices based on VAMS technology add volumetric precision, scalability, and robust traceability features, making them a compelling option for scientists who want to:

Design at-home or multi-site studies without cold-chain constraints
Integrate DNA and RNA workflows into broader omics programs
Enhance sample quality and consistency while simplifying participant experience

If you’re exploring new ways to extract DNA and RNA from dried blood, and to run more flexible, participant-friendly studies, Mitra microsampling offers a proven, ready-to-validate platform for your next project.

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