Hi all,

I am collecting blood from human donors on TEMPUS tubes for RNA stabilization. After RNA extraction, we want to use the tubes for different transcriptomics downstream applications that will take place in different labs.

I was wondering if aliquoting the blood/TEMPUS buffer mix right after collection was a viable option to optimize shipment of the samples. The workflow would be as follows: collection of blood on TEMPUS tube, thorough mixing/vortexing to ensure complete mixing of the blood with the TEMPUS buffer, then aliquoting of the entire contents of the TEMPUS tube into three Falcon 15mL, and storage at -80°C before shipment.

Has anyone ever done this or something similar? I may be paranoid but I am worried that the tube itself might be optimized for RNA preservation (e.g. special coating of the glass...). Better safe than sorry!