Oragene•DNA is well known for a number of characteristics - ease of use, non-invasive collection, high quality and quantity DNA and, of course, long term storage at ambient temperature. It's often difficult for researchers and clinicians to believe that storage at ambient temperature is possible for DNA samples. We are frequently asked about this specification of our product. However, studies using Oragene•DNA prove that customers can rely on the ability to store Oragene•DNA/saliva samples at ambient temperatures when collecting samples in remote locations, via the mail, or for event-based recruitment. The figure to the right shows an agarose gel electrophoresis of DNA extracted from Oragene•DNA/saliva samples stored at room temperature for 5 years.
The preservation and storage of DNA samples is an important consideration for molecular epidemiology, clinical trials, and population studies. To ensure your success, we have created the following best practices for the long term storage of unpurified saliva samples collected with the Oragene•DNA Self-Collection Kit. We will also highlight the rationale for these recommendations.
Storage at room temperature
DNA from saliva is stable in the Oragene•DNA collection tube for up to 5 years. This stability is achieved as a result of the kit's proprietary reagents that inactivate enzymes in saliva and minimize chemical hydrolysis of DNA. These reagents also prevent the growth of bacteria in the sample.
Frozen storage
Oragene•DNA/saliva samples may also be stored at temperatures below -20°C. Samples may undergo at least three freeze-thaw cycles with no evidence of DNA degradation. Although the Oragene•DNA collection tube is designed to ensure a tight seal, frozen storage may further reduce evaporation of the liquid medium during long term storage.
Aliquots in microcentrifuge tubes
The Oragene•DNA collection tube is designed for user friendly saliva collection from donors. However, in the lab, storage in more compact tubes may be preferable. To reduce storage space, an Oragene•DNA/saliva sample which has been heated at 50°C for a minimum of 1 hour may be split into 4 aliquots of 1 mL each and stored in 1.5 mL screw-top microcentrifuge tubes. It is advisable to use tubes with O-rings to ensure a tight seal and minimize long term loss from evaporation.
We hope these best practices will help you optimize the long term storage of all your unpurified Oragene•DNA samples. If you like this article, watch for an upcoming blog post on the best practices for long term storage of purified DNA from Oragene•DNA samples. If you want to be notified of our blog posts, be sure to subscribe to The Genetic Link.
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Today, DNA Genotek announced our involvement in a significant pilot project with the UK's largest bone marrow registry, the Anthony Nolan Trust. The details of this exciting project follow:
DNA Genotek, a leading provider of products for biological sample collection, stabilization and preparation, today announced that The Anthony Nolan Trust, the UK's largest bone marrow donor registry, has selected Oragene•DNA for a pilot project aimed at increasing donor recruitment. Bone marrow donor registries, also known as HLA registries, use HLA DNA testing to match leukemia patients with prospective donors. The pilot project will determine if donor recruitment can be increased significantly with the use of non-invasive, saliva-based DNA collection compared to blood collection.
The Anthony Nolan Trust has traditionally required all registry participants to have a blood sample collected either at their doctor's office or by phlebotomists at recruitment clinics. Under this pilot project, the potential donor provides a saliva sample without any assistance (for example, at home) and mails the sample back through the regular postal system, thereby facilitating and dramatically reducing the cost of the entire process. DNA samples collected with Oragene•DNA are easier, safer, and faster to collect than other methods and remain stable at ambient temperature for transport and storage prior to being analyzed at the lab.
There are currently over 400,000 people included in The Anthony Nolan Trust's registry, but many more participants are needed. 70% of patients needing a transplant cannot find a compatible match from within their families and rely on registries to find an unrelated donor for life-saving procedures. Through using Oragene•DNA, The Anthony Nolan Trust expects an increase in donor recruitment and therefore the likelihood of matches between those patients needing bone marrow transplants and potential donors held in their database.
Ailsa Ogilvie, director of operations at The Anthony Nolan Trust stated: "We have historically recruited new people to our register using blood samples, but our early laboratory results confirm that Oragene•DNA provides the high quality DNA that we need. We are optimistic that this pilot project will simplify the recruitment process and ultimately increase the number of people willing to join our register. Following the successful completion of this pilot phase, we hope to switch completely to using saliva samples to recruit new donors to our register via Oragene•DNA from late 2010."
"By streamlining the sample collection and transportation procedures, Oragene•DNA enables The Anthony Nolan Trust to focus on its primary goal of increasing donor recruitment", said Ian Curry, president and CEO, DNA Genotek, Inc. "Oragene•DNA provides a reliable, cost-effective, and scalable method that is ideal for bone marrow donor registries worldwide. Our product is easy to use, safe to transport through the mail and remains stable at ambient temperature for long periods of time. What we learn from this pilot project will help chart the future for The Anthony Nolan Trust and we are certainly proud to be part of this effort."
Note: The pilot project referenced in this press release is currently available in limited areas in the United Kingdom. It is not expected to be available nationally until the summer of 2010.
Learn more at the European Immunogenetics and Histocompatibility Conference (EFI) in Florence, Italy May 17th when Alasdair J. McWhinnie of the Anthony Nolan Trust will present a session titled: "Saliva specimens collected with Oragene are a reliable alternative to blood and buccal swabs for large scale DNA extraction and HLA typing of recruits for hematopoietic stem cell donor registries." Register here.