DBS sampling enables small volumes of capillary blood to be collected, dried and transported for subsequent laboratory analysis. Its suitability depends on the analyte, sampling material, analytical method, study design and intended application.
Vitas is an independent contract analytical laboratory providing quantitative analysis of DBS and other biological samples for professional customers, including pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, universities, hospitals and research institutions.
Our role is to receive biological samples from professional customers, perform laboratory analyses and report the analytical results to the project sponsor or customer.
Advantages of DBS sampling
DBS sampling may offer several practical advantages compared with conventional venous blood sampling:
Small sample volume
Minimally invasive finger-prick collection
Simplified transport and storage
Transport at ambient temperature for suitable analytes
Good stability for many biomarkers
Suitability for decentralized and large-scale sample collection
The suitability of DBS depends on the biomarker, analytical method, study design and intended application.
DBS analytical services
Vitas develops, validates and performs quantitative analytical methods for contract research and laboratory service projects involving a broad range of biomarkers.
Examples include:
Fatty acids
Amino acids
Vitamins
Cholesterol and triglycerides
Carotenoids
Inflammatory biomarkers
Proteins and peptides
HbA1c
Comprehensive lipidomics by TOF-MS
Custom assay development
The analytical method, validation level, sample volume requirements and reporting format are agreed individually for each project.
Sample collection materials
DBS samples analysed by Vitas may be collected using sampling materials supplied by the project sponsor, customer or a third-party manufacturer.
Where required as an incidental part of a laboratory service agreement, Vitas may facilitate the logistics of sampling materials selected by the professional customer or project sponsor. Third-party collection devices remain in the manufacturer’s original packaging and are not manufactured, relabelled or modified by Vitas.
Vitas is not the manufacturer of third-party DBS collection devices.
For academic and non-diagnostic research projects, Vitas may also assist with the provision of generic sampling materials for research use only, according to the requirements and specifications of the project sponsor.
Research and commercial projects
Vitas supports a broad range of projects, including:
Pharmaceutical and biotechnology studies
Academic research
Clinical and observational studies
Epidemiological and population studies
Method development and validation
Commercial contract laboratory services
The project sponsor or customer defines the intended purpose of the project and is responsible for the study design, participant information, regulatory framework and any clinical or commercial claims associated with the project.
Vitas does not determine the intended purpose of the sampling programme, the regulatory status of the project or any clinical or commercial claims associated with the analytical results. These responsibilities remain with the project sponsor or customer.
Academic research projects are conducted under the responsibility of the sponsoring institution and, where applicable, with approval from the relevant research ethics committee.
Sample identification and reporting
Samples received by Vitas are coded with project-specific or sample-specific identification numbers.
Vitas normally receives coded samples and does not require directly identifiable participant information to perform the analysis. Analytical results are reported to the project sponsor or customer according to the agreed reporting format.
Vitas provides contract analytical laboratory services to professional customers and does not offer individual DBS tests directly to the general public.
Quality and expertise
Vitas has extensive experience in high-throughput DBS analysis and provides analytical services for projects ranging from small feasibility studies to large international programmes involving many thousands of samples.
Our analytical scientists work with the customer to define appropriate sample handling, analytical performance, validation requirements and quality controls for each project.
See our DBS instruction video for guidance on obtaining high-quality DBS samples.
The methods listed below are examples of analytical methods developed and performed by Vitas as part of contract research and analytical laboratory services. Availability, validation status and regulatory applicability depend on the requirements of each individual customer project.
