The advent of high-throughput SNP genotyping has revolutionized our ability to obtain high density genotypes, however, a key issue remains; the need to access, store, and extract DNA from each individual. While DNA collected for SNP analysis needs to be of sufficient quality to ensure high genotype call rates, the method of collection used in the field needs to be straightforward. FTA filter paper cards (Whatman, Part of GE Healthcare, Florham Park, NJ, USA) simplify the harvesting and storing of samples, and once properly dried they can be stored at room temperature for years without DNA deterioration 1. While the chemically infused paper kills microorganisms and prevents degradation of the matrix-bound DNA 2, the bound DNA must be extracted and resuspended in an aqueous solution before it can be genotyped by high-throughput SNP genotyping platforms, such as the Illumina iSelect BeadChip (San Diego, CA, USA).

Previous research has shown that multiple genomic sources, including lymphocytes, buccal cells, whole genome amplified samples, and fingernails can be used to generate high-density SNP data provided the DNA sample is of adequate quality and quantity 3456. While venous blood is often considered an optimal source for DNA, the invasiveness and cost of obtaining venous blood samples can be prohibitive 37, especially for large-scale studies or those that deal with livestock and wild animals. Additionally, fresh samples collected in the field may experience degradation before they can be processed 2. The ease of collection, transportation, storage, and protection from degradation of samples stored on FTA cards alleviates many of these issues 8.

While previous studies have shown that DNA harvested from FTA cards is suitable for genotyping 1,516 SNP on the Illumina GoldenGate platform and 10,000 SNP on the Affymetrix 10 K GeneChip Human Mapping 10 K Array XBA 142 2.0 910, it is not known if these samples are appropriate for high-throughput genotyping on the Illumina iSelect platform, which currently assays up to 200,000 SNP 11. To determine the utility of FTA cards as a collection and storage media for DNA analyzed by iSelect BeadChips which requires unbound, relatively intact (fragment sizes > 2 kb), and high-quality DNA 12, we analyzed the call rate and concordance of 54,122 SNP genotypes produced by the Illumina BovineSNP50 BeadChip 13. Whole blood and nasal swabs were collected on FTA and FTA Elute cards and DNA was harvested from the cards using a minimally modified GenSolve protocol (GenVault, Carlsbad, CA, USA). Genotypes produced from these samples were benchmarked against genotypes produced from DNA extracted directly from buffy coats by proteinase K treatment, PCI extraction, and ethanol precipitation 14.

The following samples were collected from two Angus (Bos taurus) bulls: 10 ml of whole blood (WB) collected and stored in vacuum tubes with 15 mg of EDTA (Covidien, Mansfield, MA, USA), WB was also collected from ear veins and applied to FTA and FTA Elute cards 1516, and nasal swab samples were collected using a sterile foam tipped applicator (Whatman) which was rubbed for 10 seconds against the inside of the bull's nose and then pressed against an FTA Elute card to transfer cells to the card.

Buffy coats were isolated from each of the 10 ml WB samples and DNA was extracted by proteinase K treatment followed by PCI extraction and ethanol precipitation 14. Genotypes produced from these DNA samples were used as the standards against which genotypes produced from samples harvested from the FTA cards were compared. DNA was extracted from 3 mm punches obtained from each FTA and FTA Elute card using a GenSolve kit (GenVault). We minimally modified the manufacturer's protocol by using a PCI extraction and ethanol precipitation instead of a Qiagen kit for DNA cleanup, [see Additional file 1]. Three hundred nanograms of DNA from each extraction was used as template for the BovineSNP50 BeadChip, which was processed and analyzed according to Illumina's protocol for the iSelect single base extension reaction 12.

A one-way ANOVA was performed on BovineSNP50 BeadChip call rates from FTA extracted samples and those achieved from assaying 7,737 Bos taurus samples extracted from WB or cryopreserved semen by PCI extraction in our laboratory (Table 1). Thirty-five of these samples had two aliquots individually genotyped on the BovineSNP50 BeadChip which generated technical replicates that we used to calculate baseline concordance values. Genotypes produced from each FTA extracted DNA sample were compared for concordance to those obtained from WB for each animal. Call and concordance rates were analyzed with a two sample t-test assuming equal within-treatment variances (Table 2).

The ANOVA indicated no statistical difference in call rate (P > 0.72) due to method of DNA extraction, FTA card type, or sample type (Table 1). We were concerned whether genotypes obtained from DNA harvested from FTA cards would yield reproducible genotypes that were highly concordant with those produced from DNA extracted from WB. Table 2 shows that > 99% of called genotypes were concordant for every sample type and that discordances were primarily between the homozygous vs. heterozygous genotype classes. In every concordance comparison, genotypes from DNA samples harvested from FTA cards were not different from those produced from the standard samples (P > 0.40).

This report shows that blood and nasal swab samples stored on FTA cards can be processed in a manner that results in high-quality DNA capable of producing robust results on Illumina's iSelect BeadChips. While only the BovineSNP50 BeadChip was tested, similar results should be obtainable on other iSelect BeadChips such as the CanineSNP20, EquineSNP50, OvineSNP50, and PorcineSNP60. As DNA yields from individual FTA card punches vary between samples 817, and our FTA samples ranged in yield from 101 to 405 nanograms of DNA per punch, we recommend that at least six 3 mm punches be extracted per sample to ensure sufficient DNA for genotyping. Assuming sufficient quantities are obtained, we speculate that DNA extracted from FTA cards by the GenSolve kit will also produce quality genotypes on other high-density SNP platforms such as Affymetrix Genome-Wide Human SNP Array 6.0 genechip and the Illumina Human1M-Duo BeadChip which both assay over 1 million SNP, although further studies are needed for confirmation due to the different chemistries used on each platform 1819.

We conclude that FTA cards provide an excellent medium for harvesting DNA from multiple tissue types, and that when assayed using the Illumina iSelect technology, yield high genotype call rates and reproducibility, particularly when the DNA is extracted using the GenSolve kit. By demonstrating that high quality and repeatable genotypes can be obtained from DNA stored on FTA cards, we alert the community to the utility of this sample storage medium for DNA intended for high-throughput SNP genotyping.

DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid; FTA: Flinders Technology Associates; PCI: Phenol:Chloroform:Isoamyl alcohol; SNP: single nucleotide polymorphism.

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

MCM: Participated in the design of the study, obtained tissue samples and extracted DNA, and drafted the manuscript. SDM: Performed the Illumina BovineSNP50 BeadChip assays and manuscript writing. RDS: Scored BovineSNP50 BeadChip genotypes and manuscript writing. JFT: Assisted with experimental design and manuscript writing. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.