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I think non-cellulose matrix cards is where the future of dried biological fluids research gets quite interesting and is very promising. The issue is whether a new matrix has wide applicability and is subject to the quality controls that the current paper has. From a forensic science perspective, new matrices are used all the time, but they are called dried stains rather than dried spots. I once obtained a metabolic profile of urine extracted from the thin fabric covering the adsorbant gel of a disposable diaper as well as standard "wood pulp" paper. I think pharma have sufficient resources to develop and standardize a new type of paper for their studies that may improve the cellulose matrix. With time and evaluation, both newborn screening and clinical chemistry labs may benefit from any improvements. More likely processing chemistry of DBS will be where most changes will occur in the near term (i.e. improved estimate of blood volume, hematocrit, extraction efficiency).
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