From Sample Collection to Data Confidence: Understanding the Pre-Analytical Factors That Shape Liquid Biopsy Performance

Event Details

Date

July 16, 2026

Times

10:00 AM ET
3:30 PM ET

Duration

30 minutes + Q&A

Cost

Free

About this Webinar

Liquid biopsies are increasingly recognized as revolutionary tools in clinical diagnostics and precision oncology, offering a non-invasive window into real-time disease dynamics across plasma, urine, and saliva. However, pre-analytical sample stabilization remains a critical bottleneck. The moment a biofluid is collected, ex vivo cellular drift, enzymatic degradation, and genomic DNA flooding from white blood cell lysis threaten to compromise the molecular integrity of the sample before it ever reaches the laboratory.

In this webinar, we will explore the fundamental differences between lytic and non-lytic preservation technologies, tracing their structural chemistry and downstream biological impacts. Attendees will gain practical insights into how device selection directly dictates the efficiency of quantitative PCR (qPCR), digital PCR (dPCR), and high-throughput Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) assays. The session will also address essential pre-analytical considerations, including transit temperature fluctuations, the hazards of formaldehyde-based chemical cross-linking, and how the "purification paradox" affects final biomarker recovery.

About the Speaker

Lohit Khera Ph.D.

Product Specialist, Norgen Biotek

Lohit Khera, Ph.D., is the Head of Scientific Sales at Norgen Biotek, bringing over a decade of global research expertise in molecular biology, oncology, and virology. The author of 10 peer-reviewed publications, their scientific pedigree includes intensive tenures at world-renowned institutions, including the Weizmann Institute of Science and LSU Health Sciences Center. At Norgen, they transitioned from a Research Scientist and Technical Support Lead into a strategic Solutions Partner. They now specialize in high-throughput workflow optimization, systems integration, and leveraging modern AI technology to translate complex technical data into clear, scalable, and future-proof laboratory strategies.

Learning Objectives

Differentiate between lytic and non-lytic stabilization chemistries to align collection protocols with specific biomarker discovery goals and sample types.
Assess the technical implications of preservative selection on library complexity, variant calling fidelity, and overall detection limits in genomic workflows.
Implement strategies to mitigate common pre-analytical hurdles, such as host genomic interference and chemical-induced sequencing artifacts.
Develop a systematic framework for evaluating stabilization efficacy across diverse biofluids like plasma, urine, and saliva to support remote or longitudinal clinical studies.
Integrate optimized stabilization with advanced purification techniques to ensure the maximum recovery of high-quality, unbiased cell-free DNA and RNA.

FAQs

What is liquid biopsy stabilization and why is it important?

Liquid biopsy stabilization refers to preserving the molecular integrity of biofluid samples such as blood, urine, and saliva immediately after collection. Effective stabilization helps prevent cell lysis, nucleic acid degradation, and other pre-analytical changes that can impact downstream molecular analyses.

How does sample collection impact cfDNA and ctDNA analysis?

The collection device used can significantly influence biomarker quality. Improper stabilization may lead to white blood cell lysis and the release of large amounts of genomic DNA, diluting circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and reducing assay sensitivity.

What is genomic DNA flooding?

Genomic DNA flooding occurs when white blood cells break down after sample collection and release high levels of genomic DNA into the sample. This excess DNA can interfere with the detection of low-abundance biomarkers such as ctDNA and cfRNA.

What is the difference between lytic and non-lytic preservation technologies?

Lytic preservatives intentionally lyse cells and stabilize released nucleic acids, while non-lytic preservatives maintain cellular integrity to prevent genomic DNA contamination. Choosing the appropriate preservation chemistry depends on the target biomarker and downstream application.

How do stabilization methods affect NGS performance?

Sample stabilization can influence sequencing quality, library complexity, variant detection sensitivity, and data reproducibility. Poor stabilization may introduce artifacts or reduce the proportion of clinically relevant biomarkers available for analysis.

Can stabilization impact qPCR and digital PCR results?

Yes. Pre-analytical sample handling directly affects nucleic acid integrity and biomarker abundance, influencing detection limits, quantification accuracy, and assay reproducibility in both qPCR and digital PCR workflows.

Why are formaldehyde-based preservatives a concern?

Some fixation-based preservation methods may introduce chemical modifications or cross-linking that can affect nucleic acid recovery and potentially interfere with downstream sequencing and molecular analyses.

Which biofluids can be used for liquid biopsy applications?

Liquid biopsy studies commonly utilize plasma, whole blood, urine, saliva, and other biofluids for the analysis of cell-free DNA (cfDNA), circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), cell-free RNA (cfRNA), extracellular vesicles, exosomes, and microbiome-derived biomarkers.

How can researchers reduce pre-analytical variability in multi-site studies?

Standardized collection devices, validated stabilization protocols, and controlled shipping conditions can help improve sample consistency across collection sites and support reliable biomarker analysis.