Patent ID: 8911680

Claim:
A system for collecting a biological sample directly from a source comprising: a container having at least one open end, a closure fitting on or in said at least one open end, a holding element connected to said closure, at least one chaotropic substance, and a solid matrix on which said biological sample can be deposited, the solid matrix comprising a low melting agarose with a melting point below 65° C., wherein material of said solid matrix is at least partially transferable into a liquid state and/or can be dissolved, in the presence of the at least one chaotropic substance, and optionally in the presence of at least one substance of high ionic strength, wherein said matrix is at least substantially solid under collection conditions, and wherein said holding element is adapted to hold said solid matrix, and further comprising at least one element for at least partially transferring said material of said solid matrix from a solid state into a liquid and/or dissolved state selected from the group consisting of: at least one solvent in which the material of said solid matrix is soluble, at least one reagent, at least one enzyme, and at least one pH modifier.