T. H. (Henry) Hung [email protected], University of Oxford

📬 For intended readers only

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Leaf Sampling Protocol

[ ] Obtain the GPS location of the tree using a GPS device. Record on the sampling record.
[ ] Label the Falcon tubes.
[ ] Identify a fully expanded, newly grown branch of the tree.
[ ] Depending on the height of the branch, different sampling strategies might be used:
[ ] Sample healthy leaves (free from any infestations of fungi or insects) that fill fully 3 (three) 50-mL Falcon tubes.
[ ] Submerge the samples in 50 mL Falcon tubes in a box of dry ice (~20 kg).
[ ] Store these samples in the same box of dry ice (short-term) or a –80°C freezer (long-term).
[ ] If stored on dry ice, arrange shipment immediately and top up the dry ice to ~20 kg on the shipping day.

<aside> 💡 Degradation of DNA, RNA, and metabolites are mostly enzymatic hydrolysis by water, that is only stopped when deep-frozen.

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<aside> ❄️ Dry ice comes in different sizes. Larger ones sublime slower and last longer. Dry ice sublimes at a rate of 2%/hr in average.

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