Month: October 2025

Five Common Mistakes To Avoid When Collecting DNA Samples

Posted on by Dora Katona

The success of any genetic analysis study depends on high-quality DNA sample collection. Isohelix products are made by scientists, for scientists. In this blog, we share tips on how to avoid common mistakes when collecting DNA samples, based on our many years of experience.

Common mistakes:

  • Sample contamination
  • Incorrect Sample Storage
  • Insufficient sample material
  • Sample mix ups
  • Sample tubes leaking during storage or transport

1. Sample contamination

Using non-sterile collection kits, poor sample handling, or eating and drinking before collecting saliva or buccal swabs, can lead to samples contaminated with foreign DNA or compounds that inhibit downstream applications.

Our top tips to avoid sample contamination are:

  • Avoid eating, drinking, or smoking for 30 minutes before collecting saliva or buccal swab samples
  • Use ethylene oxide-treated collection swabs and  DNA/Nuclease free extraction kits.
  • Use individually packaged swabs and single-use collection kits
  • Use kits with simple protocols, designed for easy sample handling, eg, Isohelix RapiDri Swab Collection kits.

2. Incorrect Sample Storage

BuccalFix Tubes with SK-3S swabs

Storing or shipping samples at high temperatures and humidities can lead to DNA degradation.

Isohelix collection tubes are available prefilled with stabilization buffers that completely inhibit all enzymatic and microbial activity following sampling, maintaining the integrity of the DNA sample. For example, BuccalFix collection kits provide instant room temperature stability of collected samples.

In our blog https://isohelix.com/how-to-maintain-the-integrity-of-dna-in-your-samples-without-freezing/, we discuss the range of Isohelix stabilization products so that you can choose the one best suited to your needs.

3. Insufficient sample material

Sometimes it can be challenging to collect sufficient sample material. When swabbing a surface or collecting buccal samples, use firm pressure to ensure good contact with the area to be sampled.

For saliva collection, GeneFix™ collection tubes have clear, legible markings to indicate the correct volume of saliva to be collected. Some donors, e.g., children or elderly patients, may find it difficult to produce saliva. If this is the case, saliva production can be stimulated by gently rubbing the cheeks or using a kit such as the SaliFix™ Saliva Swab DNA Collection kit, which contains absorbent swabs for easy collection of smaller volumes of saliva.

Salifix™ Collection Kit

4. Sample mix-ups

Easy and accurate sample tracking is a key component of sample collection and isolation. Incorrect labelling can lead to sample mix-ups. For large numbers of samples, automated systems reduce handling errors, save hands-on time, and increase processing throughput. 

GeneFix Saliva Collection tubes include a unique 10-digit, alphanumeric 1D barcode on the side of the tube, which allows for full traceability of the sample from production to distribution and testing. Tubes can be specified with a 2D barcode on the base of the tube that corresponds with the 1D barcode on the side. Barcodes printed in triplicate on cryogenic labels are also available for attaching to tubes or paper. All barcodes are scannable on common readers, including those widely available on mobile phones, allowing even patients at home to scan their devices for additional traceability.

5. Sample tubes leaking during storage or transport

Collection tubes and sample packaging must be sufficiently robust to protect your valuable samples. With the correct packaging, stabilized samples can be sent to the laboratory for processing using regular mail, a safe, straightforward, and cost-effective method of sample transport.

Isohelix collection tubes comply with UN3373 on leak-proof sample transport, which specifies that collection tubes must withstand defined physical pressures of 95kPa.

Transport packs are available for saliva and swab samples and include an absorbent pad to contain leakages, a separate document pocket, and are also tested to resist 95kPa.

Mailing boxes are suitable for GeneFix Saliva collectors and have space to fit a transport pack underneath. They are designed to fit through most letterboxes and are certified to UN3373. They include a security sealing strip.

TPS-50 Transport Packs with tube

Isohelix DNA Sample Collection from Animals for Veterinary, Agricultural, and Conservation Science

Posted on by Dora Katona

From understanding genetic diversity in endangered species to monitoring the spread of diseases in livestock, DNA analysis provides valuable insights into animal health and population structures.

Collecting high-quality, contamination-free DNA samples from animals is critical for generating meaningful data. Buccal swabs are a reliable and straightforward tool that are commonly used for collecting zoological DNA samples. Swabs can be used to collect buccal cells, to take samples from an animal’s skin, or to sample animal faeces without disturbing the animal at all. Skin or faecal samples are often easier to collect than samples from inside an animal’s mouth!

This month’s blog explores the challenges of DNA sample collection from animals and explains how using Isohelix products will ensure you get the best results from your samples.

The Challenges of DNA Sample Collection from Animals

Working with animals, whether in the wild, in zoos, or in veterinary settings, brings unique difficulties. Not only do animals come in various shapes and sizes, but they also often inhabit remote, challenging environments, far removed from laboratory facilities.

For ethical and practical reasons, researchers prefer collection approaches that do not cause stress or harm to animals. Sample collection methods must be robust, reliable, and suited for use in diverse environments. Some donors may be reluctant to provide samples, so rapid and straightforward protocols are needed that make sampling as stress-free as possible for both the donor and the sampler!

 Some examples of studies that require DNA sampling from animals include:

  • Conservation Genetics: Tracking genetic diversity in threatened species
  • Disease Ecology: Monitoring zoonotic disease outbreaks.
  • Behavioural Research: Understanding social structures and mating patterns.
  • Wildlife Forensics: Anti-poaching and illegal wildlife trade investigations.

Isohelix Products for Animal DNA Sample Collection and Processing

Zoological projects often involve rare or sensitive species. Isohelix has developed a range of products that are ideal for collecting DNA samples from animals, providing sample stability and consistency even in challenging field conditions. The Isohelix product portfolio includes products designed for maximum performance throughout all steps, from DNA collection and stabilization to sample processing and nucleic acid isolation.

Collecting DNA Samples from Animals Using Buccal Swabs

Buccal swabs are widely used for wildlife genetics, genotyping, and animal population studies. They are a simple method for the non-invasive collection of DNA from a wide range of birds, fish, reptiles, and mammals.

Isohelix buccal swabs are available in a range of different formats, all of which are designed to maximise nucleic acid yields and ensure safe sample collection and handling. Isohelix swabs offer significant advantages over other swab designs, utilizing a unique swab matrix that, when combined with a quick-release surface, maximizes the yields of nucleic acids.

Examples of Isohelix Swabs that can be used to collect samples from animals:

  • SK-1S Isohelix Swab uses Isohelix’s unique swab matrix design to collect buccal or epithelial cell samples efficiently from larger animals. Following sampling, users simply snap the shaft just above the swab head and place it into the provided tube. Then, they seal the tube to contain the sample and prevent contamination.
  • Mini DNA Isohelix Swabs use the same matrix material as the SK swabs, but the width of the swab has been reduced from 8mm to 6mm. The breakpoint has also been reduced compared to the SK swab, allowing it to be used in smaller tubes. Mini Swabs are ideal for taking samples from invertebrates and small mammals; for example, they are well-suited for mouse genotyping.
  • SwabCatcher™ tubes ease Isohelix swab processing, using a unique cap design that automatically removes the swab. This format reducing handling time, and is automation friendly.

For product specifications and further details, see the Isohelix 2024-Swabs-Brochure.pdf

SK-1S Buccal Swab
MS-1S Mini Swab
Swabcatcher™ Tube and Cap

DNA Sample Stabilization

Isohelix stabilizing chemistries protect nucleic acids at ambient temperatures, which is essential for field researchers working without cold-chain infrastructure. Samples can then be safely shipped from the collection site to a laboratory for analysis.

Several stabilization options are available:

  • Isohelix Dri-Capsules are silica gel capsules for the long-term stabilization of buccal DNA on a swab head before isolation. A silica gel capsule is placed in the collection tube with the swab, maintaining DNA integrity for up to three years.
  • Rapi-Dri swab kit from Isohelix contains an easy to use buccal swab and a  unique microporous moisture-wicking pouch that rapidly dries the swab, stabilizing the DNA on the swab matrix, where it is protected from degradation. pouch then acts as a sealed shipping unit for sample transport. Sample integrity can be maintained for up to three months at ambient temperature, even in particularly hot and humid environments.
  • Including collection tubes prefilled with a nucleic acid stabilization reagent is a simple method of immediately stabilizing samples at the point of collection. Liquid stabilization reagents such as Isohelix BuccalFix DNA Stabilisation and lysis kit contain a buffer that has been specifically formulated to allow long term storage of swab samples at room temperature, enabling the subsequent isolation of high DNA yields and purity from the stabilized swabs.
  • For faecal samples, buccal swabs can be used with Isohelix™ Stoolfix Gut DNA Microbiome Stabilization Kits to make acquiring stool samples easier whilst achieving maximum DNA yields and integrity. Faecal samples can be brushed with buccal swabs, to collect DNA from an animal’s microbiome and from gut epithelial cells from the animals, that are deposited on the sample as it passes through the digestive tract.

Summary

As zoological research becomes increasingly genomics-driven, the need for high-quality, field-ready collection tools will only grow. Isohelix’s products are trusted worldwide to deliver consistent, contamination-free results that empower conservationists, ecologists, and zoologists to answer critical questions about biodiversity and animal health.

Isohelix products can be used to collect DNA samples for sensitive downstream applications such as next generation sequencing and PCR.

Isohelix also offers flexibility to adapt collection methods for specific research needs, including endangered species monitoring or large-scale biodiversity projects.

To find a list of publications where Isohelix products have be used to collect DNA samples from animals including freshwater mussels, pigs, fish, mice, cats, dogs and elephants,  CLICK HERE: PUBLICATIONS