Urine instead of blood

 
Information in urine is very stable - in blood, however, information degenerates quickly

In urine, information carriers (proteins) are stable for hours after collection. Due to the fact that proteolytic processes (proteolysis = breakdown of proteins) have been completed by the time the urine leaves the bladder, almost no further breakdown processes occur after sample collection. When stored at - 18°C information can be preserved for 10 years or longer.

In order to avoid degeneration of proteins in blood, immediate centrifugation and refrigeration is necessary. To preserve information for a longer period of time, blood samples have to be stored at -80°C.

Separation of biomarkers is necessary to decipher the information

Containing a large number of informative proteins, urine is an ideal source for proteomics profiling.

Besides relevant proteins, blood contains a large number of irrelevant components such as fats and blood cells hampering the separation of biomarkers.

The multitude of information allows an exact diagnosis and the early detection of diseases

In urine, several thousand proteins are analysed, allowing an accurate and precise diagnosis.

In blood however, those biomarkers are generally not accessible with current proteomics technologies.

Non-invasive sampling facilitates procedure

Urine is obtained noninvasively and urinary proteins are stable.

Collection of blood requires medical personnel as well as immediate centrifugation and refrigeration.