Whatman FTA Cards

We offer FTA cards and FTA Elute cards for convenient sample collection and purification. Following simple purification steps, DNA remains bound to the matrix of FTA cards, which can then be used directly for downstream applications. With FTA Elute cards, DNA will be eluted into water after purification. The eluted DNA can be used for quantitative DNA analysis.

FTA cards and FTA Elute cards utilize patented Whatman technology that simplifies collection, transportation, and storage of biological samples and processing of nucleic acids at room temperature. Simply apply your sample to the FTA card or FTA Elute card, which contains chemicals that lyse cells, denature proteins, and protect nucleic acids from nucleases. The released nucleic acids are entrapped and preserved in the fibers of the matrix.

Read More Info & FAQs

What types of FTA cards are available?

FTA Classic Cards - Four sample areas for storage of up to 500 µl whole blood or 100 µl plant homogenate per card. Convenient for multiple applications of the same specimen or collection of multiple animal or plant samples. Also available in Indicating (pink) FTA format.
FTA Mini Cards - Two sample areas for storage of up to 250 µl whole blood or 50 µl plant homogenate per card. Convenient for protocols that require different locations for testing and archiving samples. Also available in Indicating (pink) FTA format.
FTA Micro Cards - One sample area for storage of up to 125 µl whole blood or 25 µl plant homogenate per card. Recommended when only one sample is needed. Also available in Indicating (pink) FTA format.
FTA Gene Cards - Three sample areas in a chipboard frame for storage of up to 225 µl whole blood or 30 µl plant homogenate per card. Can be run in most automatic dispensing/pipetting systems when used with the FTA Gene Card Tray
FTA Elute Micro Cards - Four sample areas for storage up to 40 µl per non-indicating card. Can be used for STR analysis (standard amplification), sequencing, and real-time PCR applications.
FTA DMPK Cards - DBS microvolume sampling requires only 10 to 20 µl per sample. FTA DMPK-C Card is not impregnated with chemicals and may be better suited for protein-based biomolecules.

What does FTA stand for?
FTA stands for Flinders Technology Associates and is a technology trademarked and patented by Whatman.

What are some common applications for FTA cards?

Forensics
Transgenic identification
Transfusion medicine/HLA typing
Plasmid screening
Food and agriculture testing
Drug discovery
Genomics
STR analysis
Animal identification
Whole genome amplification
Molecular biology

How do you use FTA cards?

Sample application - Apply whole blood, bone marrow or buffy coat to the FTA card. Allow to dry completely.
Disc removal - Punch a disc out of the sample on the FTA card.
FTA purification reagent washes - Place the disc in PCR tube and wash three times with FTA purification reagent. Discard used reagent after each wash.

How long do FTA cards last?
Genomic DNA stored on FTA cards at room temperature for more than 17.5 years has been successfully amplified by PCR. No other product can make that claim.

At what temperature should FTA cards be stored?
FTA cards offer a compact room temperature storage system that reduces the need for precious freezer space, improves sample accessibility, and reduces storage costs.

What types of samples can be used with FTA cards?
The following is a partial list of the cell types that can be applied to FTA cards:

Blood
Plasmids
Cultured cells
Solid tissue
Buccal cells

What is the difference between indicating and non-indicating FTA cards?
Whatman FTA cards are available in either white or pink (Indicating) formats. White FTA cards are recommended for blood samples and other easily identified samples. Indicating FTA cards are pink and turn white upon sample addition. Indicating FTA cards are recommended for buccal cells, cultured cells, and other clear samples.