Description
The Qiagen QIAcard FTA Indicating Micro Card combines the single area Micro format with an indicating dye, so one clear sample per card is both dedicated and visible. The dye turns white where saliva or buccal cells land, confirming the collection before the card is pouched.
- Visible Sample Location – Pink to white change shows exactly where the clear sample spread.
- One Sample Per Card – A single 125 µL area keeps one donor mapped to one card.
- Room Temperature Archive – DNA stays stable on the dried card at ambient temperature.
About This Indicating FTA Micro Card
Buccal programs that file one card per donor get the cleanest custody trail from a single area format. The indicating dye adds the confirmation step that plain cards lack for colorless samples. Underneath, FTA chemistry lyses cells on contact and protects the DNA from nucleases and UV damage while it archives.
At analysis, staff punch the white zone, wash the disc, and proceed to direct STR amplification. The small card and its matched pouch keep high-volume archives compact. Collection sites benefit most, because a blank application is visible immediately rather than at the bench.
Features and Benefits
Sample Handling
- Color Change Confirmation – The dye verifies clear sample placement at the moment of collection.
- Dedicated Area – One area per card removes cross-area mix-ups in busy collection settings.
Laboratory Workflow
- Confident Punching – The white zone tells the analyst exactly where the sample is concentrated.
- Ambient Logistics – Dried cards ship and store at room temperature with no cold chain.
Product Specifications
Product Details
- Manufacturer: Qiagen
- Format: QIAcard FTA Indicating Micro
- Sample Areas: 1 per card
- Maximum Volume: 125 µL per sample area
- Indicating Dye: Yes, pink to white on sample application
- Long-Term Storage: Room temperature
- Intended Use: Molecular biology applications, not for diagnostic procedures
Packaging
- Options: 100 cards or 25 cards per pack
- Storage: Store at room temperature
Browse related categories: blood collection supplies and Qiagen products.
Why Choose This Indicating Micro Card
A single area card has no backup area, so a missed buccal application costs the whole collection. The indicating Micro closes that gap by proving the sample landed, in the format built for one donor per card.
- Fewer Lost Collections – Visible confirmation at collection protects single-sample programs from blank cards.
- Simple Custody – One donor, one card and one pouch keeps records unambiguous at any scale.
- Indicator Plus Stabilization – Sample visibility and FTA DNA protection come on the same card, a differentiator over plain indicating papers.
Manuals and Troubleshooting Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What samples suit this card?
Saliva and buccal cells are the primary samples for the indicating Micro format. The dye exists because those samples are clear and hard to see.
How much sample fits on the card?
The single area accepts up to 125 µL. One donor sample is applied per card.
How does processing work?
A punch is taken from the white zone, washed, and used in direct STR amplification. Extraction from the card is also supported.
How should the card be stored?
Store the dried card at room temperature, ideally in a multi-barrier pouch with desiccant. DNA on FTA remains stable at room temperature for long term archiving.
Why not use the non-indicating Micro?
Colored samples such as blood show clearly on the non-indicating card. Clear samples need the dye to confirm placement.
Is this card a diagnostic product?
No, the manufacturer intends it for molecular biology applications. It is not for the diagnosis, prevention or treatment of disease.
