Herein, systems and methods are disclosed including a sample acquisition component (SAC) (figure 2), a separation component (figure 5) for optional separation of plasma, and one or more stabilization components (Figure 4) for stabilizing analytes. In one invention the stabilization or sample acquisition components may be labelled/colour coded to identify the assay. The stabilization step may facilitate performing the test at a remote location. The sample retained on the stabilization matrix (for DNA / RNA or protein) may be removed from the sampling device prior to analysis. The stabilization matrix may be a dry solid providing a specified RNA integrity number (RIN) or be provided as partially overlapping membranes. In a particular embodiment, the system and methods are directed towards sample collection and stabilization with optional sample separation.
