Patent ID: 8921085

Claim:
A method for stabilizing a DNA polymerase for storage in a gel-like glass above the freezing temperature of water without lyophilization in a chamber or channel of a microfluidic device, the method comprising: a) combining said DNA polymerase with an aqueous solution composed of: i) from about 1.0% w/v to 10% w/v of a disaccharide or a trisaccharide; ii) optionally from about 0.001% w/v to 0.1% w/v of a high molecular weight polyethylene glycol; iii) from about 0.001% w/v to 0.3% w/v of a fluorosurfactant; iv) optionally from about 0.001% w/v to about 1.0% w/v of an amino acid; iv) optionally from about 0.1 mg/mL to 10 mg/mL of a carrier protein; and v) optionally a compatible buffer, thereby forming a composite glass precursor solution; b) depositing in said microfluidic device a droplet of said composite glass precursor solution containing a quantity of said DNA polymerase effective for said assay; c) drying said droplet at controlled room temperature to form a gel spot on said surface; and d) then closing and sealing said gel spot in said microfluidic cartridge in a gas tight pouch under a dry atmosphere with a dessicant, said dessicant further vitrifying said gel spot during storage.