Genetic research into diseases and conditions that predominantly affect children has always been particularly challenging. Traditionally, when high quality and high quantity DNA is required for a research project (e.g. greater than several micrograms), blood has typically been the only option. Blood draws are painful for children, dreaded by parents and disliked by technicians who must collect from the frightened child. It is also much more difficult to draw blood from children than from adults, due to the relative size of their veins and their willingness to stay in a fixed position. Unlike adults, children often don't have the ability to reason with their fears. But when a lot of DNA is required, there have not been many options.
Readers of The Genetic Link know that Oragene•DNA for DNA from saliva is an ideal alternative to blood-based DNA collections but what if the target donor group is young children or infants or equally challenging, adults who are unable to spit?
It has always been our goal to provide high quality, non-invasive, DNA and RNA collection products and we now have a new product to address the needs of those unable to provide a sample by delivering saliva directly into the kit. The Oragene•DNA (OG-575) product offers a non-invasive, painless and convenient method to collect DNA from children and others who cannot spit.
The simple collection protocol can be found on the product brochure. The saliva collected with the absorbent sponges is squeezed (or pressed) into the proprietary V-notch in the collection funnel and flows into the tube. This process is repeated until 0.75 ml of saliva is collected. Sample collection with the OG-575 will produce a median yield of 17.3ug of DNA.This format is standardized for automated processing, increases efficiency, minimizes sample handling and reduces handling errors.
Oragene•DNA (OG-575) for assisted collection provides:
- Easy collection, transportation and processing
- Painless, non-invasive collection of high quality, high quantity DNA
- DNA that is stable for years at room temperature
- Compatibility with Oragene•DNA protocols
- DNA that is proven on downstream applications
- Tube and liquid sample that is compatible with automated workflow processes
We’re very excited about this new product and the feedback we’ve received so far has been extremely positive. If you’d like to request a trial kit of the Oragene•DNA (OG-575) product, please click here.
If you have any feedback on this product, you can leave a comment and let us know.
DNA Day commemorates the successful completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003 and the discovery of DNA's double helix by Watson and Crick in 1953. The Human Genome Project was a 13-year project coordinated by the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Institutes of Health. The primary goal of the project was to determine the sequence of chemical base pairs which make up DNA and to identify the approximately 20,000-25,000 genes of the human genome. As a result of the Human Genome Project, a Congressional resolution designated April 23 as the National DNA Day.
DNA Day is much more than a time to honor historical achievements - it's a day filled with opportunities for students, teachers and the public to learn how the exciting field of genome research touches all of our lives.
This year, for the first time, DNA Genotek is marking DNA Day celebrations with a new program with a focus on helping students in high schools, colleges and universities learn more about DNA collection and purification. The program, titled DNA Genotek's Science Education Program, will offer Oragene•DNA self collection kits at no charge to classrooms in accredited high schools, colleges and universities for teaching purposes.
Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for educators to use Oragene•DNA kits as a teaching platform in the classroom. The saliva-based collection method allows students to collect DNA and experiment with purification methods in the classroom, facilitating a greater understanding of DNA and its importance in health and disease. DNA Day celebrates the promise DNA holds in unlocking discovery that will impact global health and is the ideal time to introduce this program.
We're very excited about this program and its potential to have a positive impact on science education. Accredited high schools, colleges and universities can submit an online application form to receive these kits for teaching purposes.
If you want to learn more about DNA Day 2010, the best resource is the official DNA Day website at the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). There you'll find news, resources and tools having to do with genetics.
If DNA Day inspires your children (or you) to learn more about the ins and outs of the genome, let us know. We'd love to hear how this special day had an impact on you.
For the second year in a row, DNA Genotek will be collecting DNA samples onsite at the National Walk for Epilepsy on March 27th, 2010 in Washington, DC. Our participation in this event supports the efforts of the Columbia University Family Studies in Epilepsy Program and their study which is designed to identify genes that play a role in causing epilepsy.
The National Walk for Epilepsy is the largest of its kind nationally that is dedicated to increasing awareness of epilepsy and raising funds to support epilepsy programs, education, advocacy and research. The venue attracts more than 8,000 participants who are personally invested in helping find a cure for the condition and presents an excellent opportunity for Columbia University to accelerate its research by providing access to significant numbers of candidates who satisfy donor profile requirements.
This scale of onsite DNA collection would not be possible without our Oragene•DNA self collection kit. Oragene•DNA enables easy and non-invasive self-collection of saliva samples from large numbers of people and delivers high quality DNA. The samples remain stable at room temperature for 5 years enabling our customers to collect hundreds or even thousands of samples at an event like this and not have to worry about the storage temperature or degradation in quality of the sample.
This event is part of our DNA Genotek Helping Hands Program which is designed to assist organizations that are innovators in disease research, disease prevention and treatment. Within this program, we apply our technology and expertise to accelerate DNA sample collection or treatment and prevention of disease. The goal of the program is to help our customers' research and advance the fight against disease across the globe.
This year, I will personally be on-site for this collection event and I couldn't be more excited. As the event unfolds, I will update you on the status of the collection, tell you what I experienced and share what I learned.
We're hoping for a record turn out at the ‘Give a Spit' booth and you can help. You can join the hundreds of families that participate in this research program and make a critical contribution to understanding the causes of certain seizure types. Families and scientists, working together, can find the causes of epilepsy and improve treatment.
So if you happen to be in the Washington, DC area on March 27th, drop by the National Walk for Epilepsy and come to the ‘Give a Spit' booth. You can find us on Jefferson Street (between 12th and 14th).
To learn more about the Family Studies in Epilepsy at Columbia University, visit their Web site.
This morning, BioServe Biotechnologies announced that they have completed validation testing of the Oragene•DNA saliva collection kits and have joined DNA Genotek's Partner Program. Now, BioServe can offer customers a comprehensive testing platform for extraction and genetic analysis for Oragene•DNA samples. BioServe has validated Oragene•DNA kits for use within its DNA extraction and genotyping service, including sample quantification and normalization; whole genome amplification; multiplex-based genotyping, expression analysis and sample archiving.
"Validating Oragene•DNA kits for use with our genomic services is consistent with our goal of providing customers the highest quality and most economical services," said Rama Modali, president, BioServe. "Partnering with DNA Genotek, we can now offer our customers a best-in-class solution for processing Oragene•DNA samples including extraction and genotyping from saliva, which is in keeping with the high standards customers expect from BioServe."
"DNA Genotek's Partner Program is designed to facilitate the development of strong collaborations between the customers who use our technologies and our global partners. BioServe Biotechnologies has fully met all the program criteria and has proven expertise in working with our products," said Ian Curry, president and CEO, DNA Genotek, Inc. "We look forward to further developing this relationship with BioServe and providing our customers with another validated option for processing the DNA samples collected with Oragene•DNA."
Everyone at DNA Genotek welcomes BioServe to the DNA Genotek Partner Program.