Disposable tissue "sampler"

[David MacHugh]

Hi, - a quick DNA sampling query.

We are faced with a large number of tissue samples (thousands!), from
which we need to extract DNA.

We are trying to think of a low-cost disposable plastic (?) device which
allows routine removal of a minute tissue portion suitable for direct DNA
extraction.  Medical biopsy needles are far too expensive for this
project.  A throw-away plastic punch-type object would be ideal.  It
should be possible to place each sample into a microcentrifuge tube or one
of the wells of a microtitre plate.   The other critical requirements are
reasonable sample uniformity and minimization of cross-contamination.

Has anyone been faced with a similar problem?  Does anyone have
suggestions for suitable devices or consumables?

Thanks in advance..

David MacHugh.

Genetics Department,
Trinity College,
Dublin 2.
Ireland.

*********************************************************************
*         (__)  David MacHugh PhD,   E-mail: dmachugh at mail.tcd.ie   *
*         (@*)  Bovine Genetics,      Phone:  (353)-1-6081088       *
*  /-------\u'  Genetics Department,  Fax:    (353)-1-6798558       *
* / |     ||    Trinity College,                                    *
*   ||----||    Dublin 2.                                           *
*   ^^    ^^    Ireland.                                            *
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