Effects of Storage Buffer and Temperature on the Integrity of Human DNA

In this study, we have examined the effects of the storage time and temperature on DNA quality and have also studied the effects of the hydration buffer in which DNA is dissolved. This study was performed using 160 human blood samples collected with informed consent from 2007 to 2008 in the hospital where this cohort study was performed. The DNA extracted was dissolved using distilled water (DW) or Tris-EDTA (TE) buffer, and stored in the deep freezer or refrigerator for up to 10 weeks at $-70^{\circ}C$, $-20^{\circ}C$, $4^{\circ}C$, and $25^{\circ}C$, respectively. DNA integrity was determined by the degree of smearing of DNA on the gel. After four weeks, all of the 20 DNA samples dissolved in DW and stored at $25^{\circ}C$ were entirely degraded. After 10 weeks, 6 of the 20 DNA samples dissolved in TE buffer and stored at $25^{\circ}C$ were fairly degraded, and 4 of the 20 DNA samples dissolved in DW and stored at $4^{\circ}C$ were fairly degraded. The 20 DNA samples dissolved in TE buffer and stored at $4^{\circ}C$ were stable for 10 weeks. DNA samples stored at $-20^{\circ}C$ and $-70^{\circ}C$ did not appear to degrade in either DW or TE buffer, even at the 10-week point. We suggest that TE buffer should use for DNA elution, in order to protect against degradation and to preserve DNA for a long period of time, and the samples should be stored at $-20^{\circ}C$ or $-70^{\circ}C$.