Dried blood spots: concepts, present status, and future perspectives in bioanalysis

Area of Science:

• Bioanalysis
• Analytical Chemistry
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Dried blood spot (DBS) sampling is a minimally invasive technique where blood is applied to absorbent paper.
• This method simplifies sample collection, transportation, and storage compared to traditional venipuncture.
• DBS analysis utilizes modern analytical, immunological, and genomic detection systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of the DBS sampling technique for bioanalysis.
• To highlight the advantages and applications of DBS in various scientific fields.
• To serve as a resource for researchers in bioanalysis.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on DBS sampling.
• Exploration of DBS applications in pharmacokinetic (PK), therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), and toxicokinetic (TK) studies.
• Discussion of DBS utility in metabolomics and disease diagnostics.

Main Results:

• DBS sampling requires a low blood volume.
• Analyte stability is enhanced, and samples can be stored and transported without special conditions.
• Reduced exposure to biohazards for analysts and improved clinical trial cooperation.

Conclusions:

• The DBS technique is a versatile and advantageous method for bioanalysis.
• Its applications span pharmacokinetic, toxicokinetic, metabolomic, and diagnostic fields.
• DBS sampling enhances efficiency and safety in biological sample analysis.