Collection of biological samples

1. COLLECTION OF
BIOLOGICAL
SAMPLES
Presented by:
Faiza Azhar
Lecturer
M.Phil. (Pharmaceutical Chemistry)

2. Biological samples
 Biological samples refer to materials derived from living organisms
that are collected for scientific, diagnostic, or therapeutic purposes.
 These samples serve as critical resources for studying the
structure, function, and behavior of biological systems, as well as
for diagnosing diseases, developing treatments, and advancing
scientific knowledge.
 Biological samples has a wide range of materials, including:
 Tissues
 Fluids
 Cells
 Nucleic acids
 Microorganisms.

3. 1. Fluids
 Biological fluids contain various substances dissolved or suspended within a
liquid medium. Common biological fluid samples include:
• Blood: A complex fluid containing cells, proteins, hormones, and other molecules,
often used for diagnostic tests, research studies, and blood banking.
• Urine: The liquid waste product of the urinary system, commonly analyzed for
indicators of kidney function, metabolic disorders, and urinary tract infections.
• Saliva: The watery fluid produced by salivary glands, containing enzymes,
antibodies, and other molecules, used for genetic testing, drug testing, and
disease diagnostics.
• Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF): The clear fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord,
analyzed to diagnose neurological disorders and infections.

4. Extraction Procedure
Blood Samples:
• Venipuncture: This involves collecting blood from a vein, typically in the arm, using a needle and
syringe or vacutainer tubes.
• Fingerstick: Blood can be collected by pricking the finger or heel to obtain small amounts of blood for
certain tests, such as glucose monitoring.
• Arterial puncture: Blood may be collected from an artery, usually the radial artery in the wrist, for
certain specialized tests.
Urine Samples:
• Urine Midstream urine collection: This involves collecting urine in the middle of the urinary stream to
minimize contamination from the urethra.
• Clean catch urine collection: Patients are instructed to clean the genital area and collect a midstream
urine sample in a sterile container.
• Catheterization: In cases where clean catch urine collection is not feasible, urine may be collected
using a catheter inserted into the bladder

5. 2. Tissues
 Tissues are groups of cells that perform specific functions
within an organism.
 Biopsy specimens: Small pieces of tissue collected for
microscopic examination, often to diagnose diseases or
evaluate abnormalities.
• Surgical specimens: Larger tissue samples obtained during
surgical procedures, such as tumor resections or organ
removals.
• Post-mortem tissues: Tissues collected during autopsies or
post-mortem examinations for research or forensic analysis.

6. Extraction Procedure
• Biopsy: Tissue samples can be obtained through biopsy
procedures, which involve removing a small piece of tissue
for examination under a microscope. Biopsies can be
performed using various methods, including needle biopsy,
incisional biopsy, or excisional biopsy.
• Surgical excision: Larger tissue samples can be obtained
through surgical procedures, such as excisional biopsy.
• Post-mortem examination: Tissue samples can be collected
during autopsies or post-mortem examinations for forensic or
research purposes.

7. 3. Cells
 Cells are the basic structural and functional units of all living
organisms.
 Buccal cells: Cells collected from the inner lining of the
cheek (buccal mucosa), often used for DNA testing and
genetic analysis.
• Epithelial cells: Surface cells collected from the skin,
mucous membranes, or other tissues, used for cytological
examination and DNA analysis.
• Stem cells: Undifferentiated cells with the potential to
develop into various cell types, collected from sources such
as bone marrow, umbilical cord blood, or adipose tissue for
regenerative medicine and research purposes.

8. Extraction procedure
• Swabs: Cells can be collected using swabs, which are
rubbed against the surface of the skin, mucous membranes,
or other surfaces to collect cells for analysis.
• Aspiration: Cells can be collected through aspiration
techniques, which involve using a needle and syringe to
withdraw fluid or cells from a specific site in the body.

9. 4. Nucleic acids
 Nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, carry genetic
information and play essential roles in cellular processes.
• Genomic DNA: The complete set of an organism's DNA,
extracted from cells or tissues for genetic testing, sequencing,
and forensic analysis.
• Messenger RNA (mRNA): RNA molecules transcribed from
DNA and translated into proteins, used for gene expression
studies, transcriptomic analysis, and vaccine development.
• Microbial DNA/RNA: DNA or RNA extracted from
microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi, for
microbial identification, pathogen detection, and
epidemiological studies.

10. Extraction procedure
• Blood collection: DNA or RNA can be extracted from blood
samples using specialized collection tubes or kits.
• Buccal swabs: DNA samples can be collected from the
inside of the cheek using buccal swabs, which are then
stored in specialized collection tubes.
• Saliva collection: DNA or RNA can be extracted from saliva
samples using collection devices specifically designed for
DNA or RNA stabilization.

11. 5. Microorganisms
 Microorganisms are microscopic organisms, including bacteria,
viruses, fungi, and protozoa.
 Clinical isolates: Microorganisms cultured from clinical
specimens, such as sputum, blood, or wound swabs, for
infectious disease diagnosis and antimicrobial susceptibility
testing.
• Environmental samples: Microorganisms collected from various
environmental sources, such as soil, water, air, or surfaces, for
ecological studies, bioremediation, and industrial applications.
• Reference strains: Well-characterized microbial strains
maintained in culture collections for research, quality control, and

12. Extraction procedure
• Environmental sampling: Microorganisms can be collected
from various environmental sources, such as soil, water, air,
or surfaces, using swabs, filters, or other sampling devices.
• Clinical specimens: Microorganisms can be collected from
clinical specimens, such as sputum, pus, urine, or
cerebrospinal fluid, using appropriate collection methods and
containers.