What Is an FTA Card?

FTA Cards are index-sized cards developed for the collection and storage of DNA from organic samples, developed by Whatman Ltd., a division of General Electric Healthcare, and used by scientists around the world.

How It Works

• FTA Cards contain chemicals that preserve DNA from an organic sample that is applied to it by lysing the cells, denaturing proteins and protecting the nucleic acids from nucleases, oxidative and UV damage. DNA samples have been preserved at room temperature and subsequently successfully analyzed after more than 17 years.

Available Cards

• FTA Cards are available in both white and pink. White cards are used for easy-to-see samples, whereas pink cards contain a chemical that turns them white when a sample is applied, which is useful for clear and hard-to-see samples, indicating that something has been applied to the card. Cards come in one, two, three and four sample-collecting configurations, with custom configurations available.

Uses

• As they can collect DNA samples from virtually any cell type, FTA Cards have been used for a variety of purposes. Scientists use them to collect DNA samples from newly discovered plant species when out in the field. Pharmaceutical companies use them to archive human DNA samples. Law enforcement agencies utilize them to collect DNA samples from convicted felons. They've been used to track diseases in livestock herds, to determine the flight patterns of certain species of birds by collecting DNA from jet engines and by government agencies to sample food products.