Practical methods for biological NMR sample handling.
The ability of NMR parameters T1 and T2 to be used to distinguish one tissue from another and diseased from normal tissues has wide application in diagnostic medicine. Measurement of such values in vitro on excised tissues and fluids was the basis for fundamental discoveries which provided the impetus for the development of in vivo clinical whole body NMR imagers. Therefore, as in vivo imaging grows, the need for screening and testing of new ideas in vitro will grow. The success of data collection in vitro depends greatly on the care and understanding with which biological samples are processed. This paper summarizes proven methods for handling of soft and firm biopsy material, blood components, body fluids, and culture cells. The effects of temperature variation and storage parameters are discussed for animal and human samples. The paper is a practical guide to the hows and whys of biological sample handling for NMR.
D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy; D001769:Blood; D001826:Body Fluids; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods*; D013696:Temperature