Journal of Applied Bioanalysis will be publishing a specially focused issue dedicated to “Volumetric Absorptive Microsampling (VAMS): Applications, Advantages and Challenges“.
The journal invites the submission of manuscripts related to the special issue topic. Journal of Applied Bioanalysis is an international peer-reviewed open access journal published by Betasciencepress Publishing, the Netherlands.
Guest Editors
Dear Colleagues,
Due to significant advances in the detection sensitivity of the analytical instrumentation, it is increasingly feasible to use microsampling techniques for the bioanalytical purpose. Microsampling technique Dry Blood Spot (DBS) has been around from long time, and it is well-studied but suffers accuracy and precision limitations due to hematocrit effects.
Volumetric Absorptive Microsampling (VAMS) is the next generation of the microsampling techniques that offers huge promise in terms of improved sampling accuracy, sampling convenience and it is amenable to be integrated into automated sample processing workflows. The VAMS sampler enables collection of small, volumetrically accurate specimen of blood (and other biological fluids) and have less impact of the hematocrit. Key advantage of the technique include ability to collect small sample volume, ease of collection and dried sample could be stored and transported at room temperature. Because of these features the technique could be used with minimal training and even patients can collect samples at home and could best suit for collection of clinical samples from remote areas.
In the VAMS the sample is absorbed on a porous tip and dried which enables ease of storage, transport, and overall reduction in the cost. Like any other analytical technique sample extraction process need to be optimized to better suit analyte of interest to ensure accuracy and reproducibility of the results. VAMS devises are capable of sampling a range of volumes and they come in different configurations including 96-well format.
There are reports of improved stability of the sample on the VAMS tips either at room temperature or in some cases eliminating need of freezing samples which is largely attributed to drying of the samples. VAMS is less invasive technique and suits better for certain populations such as pediatrics and elderly.
There are several reports of successful use of this technique in clinical trials. Pharmacokinetic and therapeutic drug monitoring studies has been performed using this technique with promising results. The technique has been successfully used to detect a range of small and large molecules including therapeutic agents, amino acids, proteins, vitamins, and immune response markers.
Microsampling is particularly advantageous for pediatric sample collection and studies involving small animal and serial sampling. With increase in the research cost it has become imperative to utilize small animals to generate disease model to assess pharmacodynamics.
Despite all the advantages VAMS remains underutilized and not widely studied, that could be due to the cost of the device and additional efforts needed to test, validate its utility in addition to other method qualification needs for any analyte.
Guest editors
Dongwei (Emily) Zhu and Rohini Narayanaswamy
Aims and Scope
We invite authors to submit research articles focused on this novel sampling technique. The scope of this special issue includes articles highlighting use of VAMS or other microsampling techniques in clinical trials, therapeutic drug monitoring or as a diagnostic tool; microsampling based method optimization for analyte of interest, comparison with conventional sampling techniques and any other investigation pertaining to developing understanding of the technique
Special Issue Keywords
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.manuscriptmanager.net/jab by registering and logging in to this website. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good scientific English.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript.
For this special issue Article Processing Charge (APC) will NOT be applicable. Accepted papers will be published in this special issue for FREE.
Deadline for manuscript submissions:
- Manuscript submission deadline: 1 July 2023
More information
Editorial Office: Dr. Roland J.W. Meesters,
Editor-in-Chief Journal of Applied Bioanalysis; editor.jab@betasciencepress.com