Author: Alister Seaton

Microbiome and it’s Role in Sake Brewing

Posted on by Alister Seaton

A recent preprint study (A dark matter in sake brewing: Origin of microbes producing a Kimoto-style fermentation starter,Kohei Ito et al) using Isohelix SK-3S Buccal Swabs and Isohelix BuccalFix Stabilization Buffer has investigated how microbes present in the environment influenced and contributed to the brewing process of the Japanese alcoholic drink, sake.

Microbe Managing

Sake brewing is an inherently microbial-driven process, and requires careful management in order to encourage the proliferation of microbes that contribute to the process while minimising the influence of microbes that may cause spoilage.

On the Surface

Using Isohelix SK-3S Buccal Swabs and BuccalFix DNA Stabilization Buffer, the study collected surface samples from various locations within the brewery, such as floors, brewing materials, and brewing equipment. DNA from the samples were extracted and underwent microbiome analysis using 16S gene sequencing.

Full of Flavour

The study found that microbes present in raw materials and brewing equipment both contributed to the microbial profile of the brewing starter culture used for fermentation. Beneficial microbes from the environment, such as lactic acid bacteria, help to control the brewing process, preventing the growth of undesirable microbes while in turn contributing to the flavour profile of the final product. This study also demonstrates the suitability and efficacy of Isohelix’s swab and stabilization products for use in environmental microbiome investigations.

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Featured Products

Isohelix SK-3S Buccal Swab

SK-3S Is An Easy To Use Buccal Swab That Feature Our Unique Swab Matrix

Isohelix BuccalFix Stabilization Tubes

BuccalFix Fully Stabilizes the Structure & Integrity of DNA for Further Downstream Applications

Isohelix Files US FDA 510k Pre-Submission for GeneFix Saliva Collectors

Posted on by Alister Seaton

Isohelix is pleased to announce that it has commenced engagement with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to progress the full regulatory approval of the GeneFix® Saliva DNA Collectors into the USA for their use in molecular and genetic diagnostics.

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Featured Products

GeneFix Saliva Collectors

The GFX DNA/RNA Saliva Collectors are easy to use, high quality devices for the collection and stabilization of saliva samples.

Wine Tasting & Microbial Diversity

Posted on by Alister Seaton

A study using Isohelix SK-2S Buccal Swabs has discovered that wine tasting has a washing effect on the tongue which causes lower microbiome diversity in professional wine tasters. This also affects how people taste, explaining why people can drink the same bottle of wine and perceive different flavours!

Washing Effect

Using the Isohelix SK-2S Buccal Swabs, the study collected DNA samples from the tongues of both professional wine tasters & non-professionals to compare the microbiome profiles between the two groups. They found that samples collected after wine tasting sessions had a lower microbial diversity than those taken prior to the tasting event. Therefore the study concluded that wine tasting sessions have a washing effect on the tongue, directly affecting microbiome diversity.

Sparkling Wine

As well as discovering the washing effect that wine has on the microbial diversity on the tongue, the study also discovered that this effect is increased when tasting sparkling wines! The comparison of bacterial diversity between samples collected before and after wine tasting, along with the presence of new bacterial taxa, indicated the direct effect of wine on the microbiome of frequent wine tasters, particularly in those tasting sparkling wines.

Putting Taste to the Test

In addition, results from an accompanying questionnaire found that having a long career in wine tasting effected taste perception compared to non-wine tasters, particularly in bitter or acidic food & drink. Results from these data suggest that changes in the microbial profile of the tongue have an effect on how we taste, giving some explanation as to why people can drink the same bottle of wine and perceive different flavours!

Want to find out more?

Read the full article here:

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Featured Products

Isohelix SK-2S Buccal Swab

SK-2S Is An Easy To Use Buccal Swab That Includes a Special 2ml Tube For Swab Head Storage

Isohelix Initiates the Full IVD/Medical Device Registration of its Buccal and Saliva Collectors in Switzerland

Posted on by Alister Seaton

Isohelix is pleased to announce that it has engaged ‘AJW Technology’ as the Swiss Representative for the ‘GeneFiX DNA/RNA Collectors’ and ‘Isohelix DNA/RNA Buccal Swabs’ to ensure a smooth device registration and supply of these products into the Swiss market.

Isohelix Automation & High-Throughput Tubes & Caps

Posted on by Alister Seaton

As studies and testing facilities are having greater numbers demanded of them, the requirement to utilize automation and high-throughput systems is becoming more and more common. To address these demands Isohelix has developed an exciting range of automation friendly high throughput tubes and caps designed to increase output and ease of use, using a universal design to fit various racking and robotic systems.

Read further to find out more information about the benefits and advantages of our automation and high-throughput tubes and caps and see how they can assist you in your next existing and future studies.

Unique 1D Barcode

All of our GeneFix Saliva Collection tubes include a unique 10 digit, alphanumeric 1D barcode on the side of the tube. This allows for full traceability of the sample from production through to distribution and testing.

We test our barcodes regularly to ensure that they are scannable on all common readers, including those widely available on mobile phones so that even patients at home can scan their devices to provide additional traceability.

Corresponding 2D Barcode

Now available on our GFXH2 variants, the tubes can be specified with a 2D barcode on the base of the tube that corresponds with the 1D barcode on the side.

By having a 2D barcode available on the base of tube, this allows automation systems to scan the barcodes whilst in racking to maintain traceability whilst using high-throughput methods.

Fits Racks from Most Manufacturers

The design and dimensions of our automation friendly tubes have been specified to fit most widely available tube racks, meaning that they can easily be introduced to existing systems and methods without altering existing equipment or having to add new equipment. This means valuable time and effort saved in your study as well as the obvious financial savings from not having to invest in new equipment.

Automation Friendly Cap & Locking Base Design


All of the GFXH tubes have been designed with an automation friendly, auto-de-capping cap design that features both inner and outer grab facilities. Each tube also features a locking base design. All of these features allow high-throughput systems to remove the caps automatically, vastly reducing manual input requirements and processing times. 

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Isohelix Launches new Xtreme-RNA Purification Kit

Posted on by Alister Seaton


Isohelix has launched a new Isolation kit designed especially for the swift and simple preparation of total human, viral and microbial RNA from stabilized saliva and swab samples.

Xtreme RNA is free from toxic reagents such as guanidine, phenol, chloroform, & β-mercaptoethanol.

Extracted samples are of high purity, ideal for use in downstream applications such as rt-qPCR and gene expression studies. Xtreme RNA is also scalable and can accommodate various sample input volumes

The unique properties of Isohelix stabilization chemistry combined with a rigorous Proteinase K digest to eliminate ubiquitous RNAses allows for isolation of high yield, high purity total RNA from stabilized saliva & swab samples.

The unique properties of Isohelix stabilization chemistry combined with a rigorous Proteinase K digest to eliminate ubiquitous RNAses allows for isolation of high yield, high purity total RNA from stabilized saliva & swab samples.

The unique properties of Isohelix stabilization chemistry combined with a rigorous Proteinase K digest to eliminate ubiquitous RNAses allows for isolation of high yield, high purity total RNA from stabilized saliva & swab samples.

The unique properties of Isohelix stabilization chemistry combined with a rigorous Proteinase K digest to eliminate ubiquitous RNAses allows for isolation of high yield, high purity total RNA from stabilized saliva & swab samples.

The unique properties of Isohelix stabilization chemistry combined with a rigorous Proteinase K digest to eliminate ubiquitous RNAses allows for isolation of high yield, high purity total RNA from stabilized saliva & swab samples.

The unique properties of Isohelix stabilization chemistry combined with a rigorous Proteinase K digest to eliminate ubiquitous RNAses allows for isolation of high yield, high purity total RNA from stabilized saliva & swab samples.

NEW GeneFix Automation Friendly Tubes & Caps

Posted on by Alister Seaton

Isohelix launches its new automation friendly tubes and caps to compliment the existing ‘GeneFix GFX DNA/RNA Saliva Collectors’

The Genefix HT tubes are available for collection of 1ml, 2ml and 3ml of saliva, and all importantly offer the same specification as the existing GeneFix Collection range for ease of collection, non hazardous, non toxic offering  long term stabilization of DNA/RNA at room temperature and universal integration into most downstream processes.

Isohelix Microbiome Collection and Stabilisation Kits

Posted on by Alister Seaton

Isohelix Microbiome Collection and Stabilisation for both Oral and Gut Microbiome DNA

The Isohelix range of microbiome DNA collection kits provides an easy to use and efficient alternative to traditional methods previously used in microbiome studies.

The is an easy to use oral microbiome DNA collection kit that has been optimised for the collection of oral microbiome samples using saliva.

Whereas traditional methods of collection and storage of microbiome samples include freezing, which often presents challenges in cold chain transport and storage or can complicate technical viability in the collection process, our MFX-01 collectors can be transported and stored at room temperature whilst still stabilising DNA for up to 12 months.

Find out more about our MFX devices

The is our new product that has been fully optimised for stabilising gut microbiome DNA.

Once a sample has been collected using one of our , it can be placed inside the StoolFix™ tube where the DNA is stabilised for up to 2 months at room temperature.

Find out more about our StoolFix™ devices