The Genetic Link

Welcome to The Genetic Link, a blog providing new insights into DNA and RNA sample collection by DNA Genotek. DNA Genotek is a subsidiary of OraSure Technologies, Inc.

A discussion of challenges and solutions for global shortages of materials for COVID-19 testing

The world is talking about the coronavirus pandemic and global health crisis we find ourselves livin...
Katherine Lawless Oct 27, 2020

3 reasons why you should stabilize your DNA sample correctly

From sample collection to data analysis, it takes a lot of work to perform a successful genetics stu...
Katherine Lawless Sep 23, 2020

Laboratory safety and sample collection devices for SARS-CoV-2

On June 4, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a letter to clinical laboratory ...
Scott Rabuka Jun 10, 2020

While social distancing, reaching donors shouldn’t be an issue

Governments and public health experts have advised almost everyone to stay home. The majority of the...
Katherine Lawless Apr 28, 2020

Oh, the places you’ll go…to collect saliva samples

Around the world, genetic research continues to highlight new discoveries. Many of these discoveries...
Katherine Lawless Oct 01, 2019

Saliva as a sample type for genomic applications

This week, I interviewed Scott Rabuka, Director of the Genomics Program at DNA Genotek for our podca...
Shauna White Jun 07, 2019

DNA saliva kits or traditional blood collection: which is more cost effective?

Many researchers have asked the question: can saliva replace blood for DNA collection and analysis? ...
Scott Rabuka May 22, 2019

8 facts most people don’t know about DNA from saliva

Since the launch of this blog, The Genetic Link, in 2009, we have published numerous articles, inter...
Kerry Chatburn Feb 01, 2019

How to execute large-scale DNA sample collection for genetic research - 10 essential considerations

Genetic epidemiology, the study of how genetics contribute to health and disease in families and pop...
Kerry Chatburn Oct 09, 2018

Discovering the genetics behind Ebola viral disease resistance

Phase I: DNA sample Collection The Ebola virus disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola haemorrhagic f...
Kerry Chatburn Oct 17, 2017

The SPARK project – Fueling the fire on autism research

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated in 2012 that 1 in 68 children in the ...
Kerry Chatburn May 04, 2017

23andMe - 10 years and over 2 million DNA saliva samples collected with Oragene

Ten years ago, DNA Genotek had a vision and a unique product that we thought had the potential to ch...
Brian Smith Apr 18, 2017

The power of ambient temperature sample shipping and storage

You may be aware that samples collected with DNA Genotek kits and reagents can be shipped and stored...
Devin Hale Oct 14, 2015

Stabilize your sample: A “right from the start” Q&A

In an earlier blog post we discussed the importance of reliable samples for human genomics, microbio...
Devin Hale Mar 11, 2015

How critical is it to stabilize & standardize the microbiome profile?

One of the most critical components of studying the microbiome is ensuring you have a profile that i...
Megan McGrath Feb 18, 2015

Do you know the biggest challenge in genetics?

I’m sure you are familiar with the expression “Garbage in, Garbage out”. Popular in the field of com...
Devin Hale Jan 27, 2015

Oragene as a solution for international DNA sample collection

Oragene is truly a DNA collection device that has a global impact. Currently, Oragene is used for th...
Nicholas Ramdass Oct 22, 2013

Methodologies for the analysis of human exomes using DNA from saliva

Mike Tayeb is the Technical Support Manager at DNA Genotek Inc.
Mike Tayeb Jul 11, 2013

[INFOGRAPHIC] DNA from saliva vs blood – who wins the cost battle?

Introducing DNA Genotek’s first visual adventure – a fun trip through the blood vs saliva cost journ...
Shauna White Sep 12, 2012

Natural selection in high altitude: Oragene functions as an enabler for challenging field research

Rookie mistakes – they will occur. I remember the first time I tried to reach out to Dr. Cynthia Bea...
Nicholas Ramdass Aug 14, 2012

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