From Sample Collection to Data Analysis: Best Practices for Reliable Scientific Results

The critical role of sample collection

Sample quality directly impacts research outcomes in genomics, proteomics, and clinical applications. Even the most sophisticated analysis can’t compensate for degraded or contaminated samples.

Common pitfalls include:

• Using inconsistent preservation methods across sites or teams.
• Failing to stabilize DNA, RNA, or proteins at the moment of collection.
• Introducing contamination during handling.

Best practices:

• Use validated preservation media designed to stabilize your specific analyte.
• Minimize freeze–thaw cycles, which can damage molecular integrity.
• Standardize your collection process across personnel and locations.

The right sample collection tools and lab supplies, from validated collection kits to secure transport containers, are just as important as the scientific equipment you use later in the workflow.

How ZAGENO helps: With ZAGENO, you can quickly compare sample collection devices and preservation reagents from multiple suppliers, all in one place, so your team spends less time chasing products and more time on science.

Read more: Top Lab Products of 2024: What Scientists Bought Most on ZAGENO

Preservation and transport: Protecting samples from field to lab

For many researchers, especially those working in remote locations or decentralized trials, the ability to ship samples at ambient temperature can be a game-changer. Eliminating cold-chain requirements reduces cost, simplifies logistics, and minimizes risk during transport.

Safety is equally important. Sealed media and leak-proof packaging protect both the sample and the people handling it. In addition, using preservation solutions that inactivate pathogens while maintaining sample integrity improves safety and reliability. Choosing the right lab equipment for transport, from temperature-controlled packaging to ambient-stable reagents, ensures your samples arrive ready for analysis. 

How ZAGENO helps: ZAGENO’s marketplace makes it easy to find preservation and shipping solutions from trusted brands, compare lead times, and place consolidated orders.

Learn more about how ZAGENO helps save scientists an average of 6.2 hours per week finding and ordering lab products. 

ELISA basics: Still a gold standard for protein detection

ELISAs (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays) have been a cornerstone of protein quantification for decades. They combine sensitivity, specificity, and versatility, making them essential in fields ranging from immuno-oncology to food safety testing.

One of the most widely used formats is the sandwich ELISA, where antibodies “sandwich” the target protein between a capture antibody and a detection antibody. The result is a colorimetric signal proportional to the amount of protein present.

Why scientists still rely on ELISAs:

• High sensitivity and specificity.
• Compatibility with a wide range of sample types.
• Straightforward protocols and clear quantitative output.

No matter your field, pairing the right scientific equipment with optimized ELISA kits ensures you’re getting accurate, reproducible data.

How ZAGENO helps: Through ZAGENO, you can instantly source ELISA kits from multiple marketplace vendors, such as Abcam, Cell Signaling Technology, Enzo Life Sciences, Zymo Research, Sino Biological, Revvity, MilliporeSigma, and ACROBiosystems, in one transaction, without having to manage separate supplier accounts.

Troubleshooting: Avoiding common experimental pitfalls

Even with the best tools, experiments can fail if certain fundamentals are overlooked.

Frequent challenges and how to prevent them:

• High background or unexpected signal: Ensure antibody specificity, minimize non-specific binding, and follow validated blocking protocols.
• The hook effect: When target concentrations are too high, dilute samples to bring them into the assay’s dynamic range.
• Loss of sensitivity due to freeze–thaw: Aliquot reagents and samples to avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles.
• Variable results between runs: Maintain consistent sample prep and storage conditions.

High-quality lab equipment and supplies, combined with disciplined protocols, are your best defense against wasted time and budget.

How ZAGENO helps: By sourcing validated products from trusted suppliers through ZAGENO’s lab supply marketplace, you reduce the risk of variability caused by inconsistent product quality.

Safeguard your science by streamlining your lab supply ordering

The pursuit of great data doesn't stop at the lab bench. For many labs, the biggest threat to their research is a messy supply chain. Generic procurement tools are great for finance, but they often lack the depth and flexibility needed for specialized R&D supplies. This forces scientists to spend their valuable time manually searching through fragmented catalogs, which can lead to them accidentally purchasing a non-validated kit from an unknown supplier. 

Read more: 6 Reasons Why Generic Procurement Tools Don’t Work for Biotech