Author: Dora Katona

The ability to collect high-quality nucleic acid samples in the field is key to conservation, population genetics, epidemiology, forensics, and environmental genomics.

However, collecting samples outside the lab can involve working in extreme environments, with unpredictable temperature changes, high humidity, exposure to dust and dirt, and the presence of water.

Read on to find out how scientists are using Isohelix products to collect high-quality nucleic acid samples from a range of environments, such as jungles, deserts, marine environments, and even from space!

The Challenges of Collecting Biological Samples in Extreme Environments

In the lab, it is relatively easy to collect and store biological samples. However, outside the lab, the sample collection and extraction workflow must be carefully considered to produce good results.

Extreme environments expose your precious samples to:

Stabilising DNA at the point of collection

Maintaining a cold chain for sample collection, storage, and shipment is particularly challenging when working in the field. With no power available for cold chain shipping and storage, logistics delays may mean that samples are not dealt with for a long time. For teams sampling in deserts, polar regions, offshore locations, or remote rainforest sites, maintaining sample stability at ambient temperatures can be the difference between success and failure.

Read our blog, https://isohelix.com/resources/how-to/how-to-maintain-the-integrity-of-dna-in-your-samples-without-freezing/,to find out more about Isohelix DNA Stabilization solutions.

Robust Packaging to Protect Samples

In extreme environments, contamination risks increase. Wind-blown dust, humidity, salt spray, mud, unsterile surfaces, and improvised field setups all increase the likelihood of introducing exogenous DNA or inhibitors. In these conditions, secure packaging and easy-to-handle collection kits are critical factors in maintaining sample integrity.

Isohelix collection tubes comply with UN3373 for leak-proof sample transport, which specifies that collection tubes must withstand a defined physical pressure differential of 95kPa. Transport packs for saliva and swab samples include an absorbent pad to contain leaks, a separate document pocket, and are tested to withstand 95kPa.

Click here to find out more about Isohelix packaging solutions

Summary

Isohelix kits and stabilization solutions empower researchers to collect reliable, high-quality DNA samples even in the most challenging field conditions. By safeguarding sample integrity through robust packaging, ambient temperature stabilization, and user-friendly collection devices, Isohelix enables vital research across diverse environments, from rainforests and deserts to the ocean and beyond.

Check out the publications below to see some examples of how Isohelix’s DNA collection and stabilisation products have been used to collect and stabilize nucleic acid samples in a range of challening environments:

Forest

Meier, Amelia C., et al. “Fruit availability and human disturbance influence forest elephant group size.” Animal Behaviour 203 (2023): 171-182.

Rivers

Gillman, Victoria H., et al. “Genomic evidence of local adaptation in Scottish freshwater pearl mussels.” Conservation Genetics 27.1 (2026): 10.

Adcock, Mia C., et al. “Population genomics of the endangered freshwater mussel, Arcidens wheeleri (Unionoidea: Unionidae: Anodontini), in the Little River, Arkansas, USA.” Journal of Molluscan Studies 90.3 (2024): eyae029.

Coastal Areas

Lee, Ji-Eun, et al. “Identification of Simultaneous Occurrence of Amphibian Chytrid Fungi and Ranavirus in South Korea.” Animals 15.14 (2025): 2132.

Cold Climates

Perrault, Charlotte, et al. “Dressed for the Weather: Tawny Owl Feather Adaptations Across a Climatic Gradient.” Ecology and Evolution 15.6 (2025): e71441.

Natural Habitats

Sinovas, Pablo, et al. “Giants in the landscape: status, genetic diversity, habitat suitability and conservation implications for a fragmented Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) population in Cambodia.” PeerJ 13 (2025) e18932.

Dicks, Kara L., et al. “Genetic diversity in global populations of the critically endangered addax (Addax nasomaculatus) and its implications for conservation.” Evolutionary Applications 16.1 (2023): 111-125.

Koutsokali, Maria, Christina Dianni, and Michael Valahas. “Buccal swabs as an effective alternative to traditional tissue sampling methods for DNA analyses in Chamaeleonidae.” Wildlife Biology 2023.2 (2023): e01052.

Helmstetter, Nolan A., et al. “Predator‐specific mortality of sage‐grouse nests based on predator DNA on eggshells.” Ecology and Evolution 14.10 (2024): e70213.

Space

Overbey, Eliah G., et al. “Collection of biospecimens from the inspiration4 mission establishes the standards for the space omics and medical atlas (SOMA).” Nature Communications 15.1 (2024): 4964.

Tierney, Braden T., et al. “Longitudinal multi-omics analysis of host microbiome architecture and immune responses during short-term spaceflight.” Nature Microbiology (2024): 1-15.

Your genomics results are only as good as the sample you start with, regardless of which sequencing platform or analytics packages you use.

Across population genetics, clinical research, microbiome studies, and diagnostic workflows, swabs remain one of the most widely used tools for DNA collection. Yet despite their apparent simplicity, not all swabs perform the same. In fact, your choice of swab can have a significant impact on sample integrity, nucleic acid yield, and therefore the overall success of your study.

At Isohelix, we’ve spent decades optimising swab and saliva-based sampling. Here’s what we’ve learned about why your choice of swab matters, and how Isohelix’s unique swab designs ensure you get the best from your samples.

Isohelix swabs deliver higher yields, better DNA integrity, simpler handling, and more consistent results, helping you protect your data quality from the very first step.

Read on to find out why world-class research groups use Isohelix collection kits for their studies:

Most Swabs Leave Material Behind

One of the most significant advantages of buccal swab DNA collection is its completely non‑invasive nMany standard swabs were designed for microbiological or diagnostic applications, but not specifically for collecting DNA. The fibre structure in the heads of these swabs can trap cells, but not efficiently release the sample into lysis buffer for nucleic acid extraction. This limites the amount of DNA that can be recovered.

Isohelix swabs use a unique swab matrix with a quick release surface specifically engineered to maximise sample capture and release.

Users consistently report:

• Higher DNA yields
• Higher purity
• Less variability between donors

This translates to fewer failed samples and better results.

The unique, Isohelix high-yielding swab matrix, ensures greater DNA yields.

Maintaining DNA Sample Integrity

As long-read sequencing, high-molecular-weight workflows, and advanced epigenetic assays become mainstream, the quality of DNA samples becomes increasingly critical.

To reduce the risk of sample deterioration and remove the cost of cold chain shipping and storage, Isohelix has developed a number of nucleic acid stabilization products, including collection tubes prefilled with BuccalFix reagent, Dri Capsules that can be added to tubes containing swabs, and Rapi-Dri collection kits that include a quick drying pouch that stabilizes DNA on a swab when it is placed inside.

Isohelix swab systems with proprietary stabilisation chemistries ensure:

• Long-term ambient sample stability
• Protection against nuclease activity
• Preservation of microbial composition (where required)
• No toxic chemicals, making shipping easier and safer

Whether you’re running a large epidemiological study or collecting samples in remote locations, stabilised swabs eliminate common failure points.

Simple Handling of DNA Samples

Isohelix products are designed by scientists, for scientists. We understand the challenges researchers face and have designed our products to be as straightforward to use as possible.

To ensure simple handling and efficient workflows, Isohelix collection and processing solutions include:

SwabCatcher Tubes Simplify Sample Handling

Another innovative product designed for ease of use is the Swabcatcher^TM tube, which features a unique cap that automatically removes the swab from the tube after lysis.

DNA Sampling of Small Animals and Invertebrates

Simple workflows from Collection to Extraction

In genomics and diagnostics, the pressure to deliver reliable, reproducible data has never been higher. The choice of swab might seem a small one, but the consequences of poor sample collection ripple through every stage of the workflow.

Isohelix swabs offer significant advantages over other swab designs in terms of cell collection efficiency, thanks to the unique swab matrix, which, combined with a quick-release surface, maximises yields of nucleic acids.

Isohelix is fully certified to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 13485:2016, and holds membership of key medical device and regulatory bodies. Isohelix swabs are certified DNA-free and RNase-free, and are free of PCR inhibitors or enzymes that may contaminate your sample and prevent downstream analysis.

Find out more at isohelix.com, or contact us to discuss the best collection devices for your application.

Although Isohelix buccal swabs have been primarily designed for buccal applications, they have been used extensively for other applications, including skin, hard-surface sampling, teeth and gums, tongue, and stool/faecal samples.

If you have any queries about other tissues or sampling areas, please refer to Isohelix for further information.

DNA sample stability underpins the reliability of all downstream analyses, from multi-year population studies to high-resolution sequencing workflows. As analysis techniques advance, the requirements for high-quality DNA increase.

This article discusses how to ensure the stability of your DNA samples, covering the following points:

• What threatens DNA stability?
• Do DNA samples need to be frozen for long term storage?
• Isohelix stabilization solutions for saliva & buccal swab samples
• Stabilizing DNA in saliva samples
• Stabilizing DNA in buccal samples

What Threatens DNA Stability?

The DNA integrity of a sample can be reduced during shipping and storage via several mechanisms :

• Endogenous nucleases and chemical components within saliva or buccal cells rapidly digest unprotected DNA.
• Freeze–thaw cycles mechanically shear DNA
• Microbial growth during shipping not only increases the proportion of microbial DNA in the sample, but also introduces reactive enzymes and metabolites that may further damage DNA.

These risks are amplified in large-scale studies involving at-home collection, where samples may spend several days in transit and experience wide fluctuations in ambient temperature. Ensuring stability from the moment of collection to laboratory processing is essential.

Do DNA Samples Need to Be Frozen for Long Term Storage?

Isohelix Stabilization Solutions for Saliva & Buccal Swab Samples

At Isohelix, our mission is to help researchers get the highest-quality DNA from every sample. Isohelix stabilization reagents maintain DNA integrity for several years without the need for refrigeration or freezing. This not only reduces costs but also safeguards sample quality throughout shipping and long-term storage.

The stabilization chemistries are designed to protect nucleic acids immediately upon collection, enabling reliable downstream performance for sensitive applications such as microarray analysis, RT-PCR, and long-read sequencing.

Different workflows call for different formats, so we offer a suite of optimized solutions:
Stabilizing DNA in Buccal Swab Samples: Isohelix BuccalFix™ DNA Stabilisation kits are specifically engineered for long-term room-temperature storage of buccal swab samples. BuccalFix not only preserves DNA integrity but also enables high-yield, high-purity extraction.
Stabilizing DNA in Saliva Samples: For saliva-based workflows, Isohelix offers several tailored systems: • GeneFix™ Saliva Collection Kits – Prefilled tubes with DNA stabilization buffer – Available in 1 ml, 2 ml, and 3 ml saliva volumes – Maintain DNA stability at room temperature for extended storage or biobanking • SaliFix™ DNA/RNA Swab Collection Kits For studies preferring saliva collection using swabs, SaliFix is the recommended choice. SwabCatcher tubes prefilled with SaliFix buffer ensure rapid stabilization of nucleic acids in low-volume saliva swab samples.

Summary

DNA preservation must begin at the point of collection. Inadequate swab design, poor-quality saliva tubes, or suboptimal chemistries can allow nuclease activity, microbial proliferation, or temperature fluctuations to compromise your samples before they ever reach the bench.

Sometimes, for example when biobanking, samples may need to be stored for several years, without deterioration.

Cold chain shipping and storage, and sample freezing is no longer the best option. Choosing the right collection device and stabilization chemistry is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your samples, whether you plan to analyse them tomorrow, or ten years from now.

Isohelix offer a range of stabilization solutions to fit different study requirements. If you’d like information on the full range of Isohelix stabilization solutions, or help selecting the best stabilization format for your study, contact us on info@isohelix.com.

It’s been a busy year at Isohelix!

Looking back on 2025, one thing is clear – the demand for high-quality, reliable DNA sample collection has never been greater.

From population genomics and molecular diagnostics to long-read sequencing and biobanking, researchers are asking more of their samples and expecting more from the tools used to collect and extract nucleic acids.

At Isohelix, our focus is simple: to ensure you get the best results from your genomic samples.

Below is a summary of some of our key activities from 2025:

Scientific Meetings

In 2025, we kicked off the year at the Festival of Genomics and Biodata in London. This great meeting attracts >8000 participants, and we were proud to be one of the 120 life science companies with a booth at the event.

In May, we went to Milan for the European Society of Human Genetics Meeting. Then in October, we were off to Boston for the 75th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Human Genetics.

New Team Members

In November, we were delighted to welcome David Wilson to IsoHelix as Director, Business Development. David brings deep experience across the global IVD and diagnostics landscapes.

He is working closely with our commercial teams to drive our successful global growth in the clinical, diagnostics, and genomic markets.

SaliFix Swab Collectors

Over the past year, we’ve continued to see strong uptake of our SaliFix™ Swab Collectors, which include the new automation-friendly SwabCatcher™ tubes for improved sample handling and long-term DNA/RNA preservation.

Looking Ahead

As genomics moves faster and reaches further, sample quality remains critical.

In the year ahead, our focus remains on:

• Supporting advanced genomics and diagnostics workflows
• Helping customers reduce sample failure rates
• Enabling robust DNA collection in real-world conditions
• Providing innovative collection, stabilisation, and purification products allowing scientists to use non-invasive saliva or buccal swab samples instead of blood
• Removing the need for cold chain transport and storage of samples

Technical Resources and Blogs

It was a busy year for our writers – our most-read blogs from 2025 were:

• Five Common Mistakes to Avoid When Collecting DNA Samples
• How to Simplify Saliva and Buccal Swab Sample Collection and Processing
• Genomic Analysis with DNA from Saliva instead of blood

Find these and other educational tools and resources at https://isohelix.com/resources/

Thank You

Finally, we’d like to thank our customers, collaborators, and partners for trusting Isohelix as their partner for sample collection and purification. Your feedback continues to shape everything we do.

Here’s to another year of better samples, better data, and better science!

Follow Isohelix for insights on DNA collection, stability, and genomics best practice.

Get in touch if you’re planning a new study or scaling an existing one.

The quality of DNA extracted from donor samples affects the quality of data produced from genomic analyses, and as analysis techniques become more sophisticated, DNA quality becomes even more important. 

DNA samples are vulnerable to degradation during collection and transport. For many years, chaotropic guanidinium-based reagents such as guanidinium thiocyanate (GITC) and guanidinium hydrochloride (GHCl) have been used as constituents of nucleic acid sample collection buffers and extraction kits because they stabilize the nucleic acids in samples. For example, when extracting RNA, a mix of guanidinium thiocyanate, phenol and chloroform is often used, and is more efficient than phenol-only procedures. Guanidinium-based reagents disrupt cells and inactivate nucleases and are also commonly used to inactivate infectious viruses prior to nucleic acid testing. 

However, reagents containing guanidinium pose several operational and safety challenges. Guanidinium-free stabilization systems, such as the Isohelix nucleic acid sampling and purification portfolio, offer a compelling alternative that protects samples without compromising on safety, scalability, or downstream performance.

Nucleic acid sample collection and stabilization

The hazards of guanidinium-based reagents

GITC and GHCl are toxic and corrosive[i]. Working with kits containing guanidinium can require the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), hazardous waste processing, and can create shipping challenges. The hazardous nature of GTC and GHCl buffers limits their use in self-collection kits because of the potential for misuse by members of the public.

Does guanidinium interfere with downstream assays?

Isohelix products are safe and effective, without hazardous components

As sample collection has expanded beyond specialist labs and into decentralized, high-throughput, and at-home workflows, guanidinium-based chemistries have become increasingly problematic.

Over the past two decades, saliva-based DNA collection has become routine for population-scale genetic studies, clinical research, and emerging diagnostic applications. Using Isohelix products, saliva collection is safe and non-invasive, and saliva collection kits can be mailed to donors for self-collection at home.

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE…..

Requirement	Why it matters
Room-temperature stability	Supports global logistics and eliminates cold chain dependency
Non-toxic formulation	Enables use in community, home, and non-clinical settings
Inactivates Pathogens No hazardous gas risk	Safe shipping and handling of samples Safer workflows
Protection of both DNA & RNA	Flexibility for multi-omic applications
Compatibility with PCR, NGS, long-read sequencing	No inhibitors, no yield loss, no extra cleanup
Lower regulatory profile	Easier approvals, fewer transport restrictions

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[i] https://www.fishersci.com/store/msds?partNumber=BP221250&productDescription=GUANIDINE+THIOCYANATE+250GR&vendorId=VN00033897&countryCode=US&language=en

[ii] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Transport Media Safety Risk—Use Compatible Transport Media with SARS-CoV-2 Tests that Use Bleach—Letter to Clinical Laboratory Staff and Health Care Providers (2020).

[iii] Public Health England. SARS-CoV-2 Inactivation Testing, Isohelix GeneFixTM Buffer. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/937435/HCM-CoV2-036 v3_GeneFix_Buffer_TCF__1_.pdf

[iv] Public Health England. SARS-CoV-2 Inactivation Testing, Isohelix BuccalFix Buffer. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/937438/HCM-CoV2-035- v3_BuccalFiX_Buffer_TCF__2_.pdf

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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:

2. Incorrect Sample Storage

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.

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. 

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.

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!

Isohelix Products for Animal DNA Sample Collection and Processing

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

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:

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

Conditions such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affect millions worldwide.

In recent years, genomic analysis has emerged as a powerful tool for understanding mental health. By examining genetic variations, epigenetic changes, and gene–environment interactions, researchers are uncovering how biology contributes to vulnerability, resilience, and treatment response.

The key to good genomics research is good sample collection. Non-invasive DNA collection methods, such as saliva and buccal swabs, make it possible to collect samples from a wide range of subjects, and integrate large-scale genomic data with psychological and clinical measures.

Isohelix sample collection, stabilization and extraction products have been adopted worldwide because of their ease of use, high-quality DNA yield, and suitability for large-scale studies. In this blog, we showcase how Isohelix technology is supporting breakthrough findings across four recent studies in psychiatry, genetics, and child development.

Read on to see how these interesting studies used Isohelix products to collect and process DNA samples that were used for a range of different analyses including microarray genotyping, next generation sequencing, methylation analysis, and PCR.

1. “The role of environmental sensitivity in the mental health of Syrian refugee children: a multi-level analysis.”

May, Andrew K., et al. “ Molecular Psychiatry (2024): 1-10. 

For this study, saliva samples were collected using Isohelix GeneFix kits from over 1,500 Syrian refugee children, and DNA was extracted and genotyped using the Illumina Infinium Global Screening Array. After stringent QC and imputation, researchers generated polygenic scores (PGS) for neuroticism, environmental sensitivity, and related traits.

The key findings were that self-reported sensitivity predicted higher risks of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and externalizing behaviors. However, genetic and hormonal markers, did not consistently predict outcomes. The study concluded saliva-based genetic analysis is feasible and robust, but that the clinical utility for predicting sensitivity in high-risk children remains limited.

2. “Impact of CYP2C19 metaboliser status on SSRI response: a retrospective study of 9500 participants of the Australian Genetics of Depression Study.”

Campos, Adrian I., et al.  The Pharmacogenomics Journal 22.2 (2022): 130-135

The results suggested that pharmacogenomic studies should focus on increasing sample sizes and implementing interventional or longitudinal studies sufficiently powered to assess whether metaboliser status is not only statistically but also clinically relevant to treatment with SSRIs.

3. “Posttraumatic stress disorder, adverse childhood events, and buccal cell telomere length in elderly swiss former indentured child laborers.”

Küffer, Andreas Lorenz, et al. Frontiers in Psychiatry 7 (2016). 

In this study, the role of childhood trauma was assessed as a potential additional risk factor for shorter telomere length.

Buccal cell samples collected from elderly Swiss participants using Isohelix Buccal Swabs. Collected cells were stored with DNA stabilizer until further preparation. The insertion of a Dri-Capsule (Cell Projects, Kent, UK) allowed the sample to be stored at room temperature without DNA degeneration and then DNA was extracted and analysed to measure telomere length by quantitative PCR (qPCR), which is a marker of cellular aging

Contrary to expectations, PTSD and childhood trauma were not associated with shorter telomeres in late life. Surprisingly, individuals with PTSD showed a trend toward longer telomere length. This highlights the complexity of linking early-life trauma, psychiatric disorders, and biological aging, and the value of buccal swabs for large-scale, low-burden sampling in older populations.

4. “Methylation Dynamics on 5′-UTR of DAT1 Gene as a Bio-Marker to Recognize Therapy Success in ADHD Children.“

Carpentieri, V. et al., Children 2023, 10, 584.)

Interestingly, children who improved after therapy showed distinct methylation patterns at specific CpG sites compared to those who remained severe. These epigenetic signatures may serve as objective biomarkers of treatment success, supporting personalized medicine in ADHD care. The study highlighted the importance of non-invasive buccal DNA collection for monitoring molecular changes in pediatric patients.

Conclusion

Isohelix DNA collection and stabilization kits provided the foundation for reliable, non-invasive, and scalable genetic and epigenetic analysis across these diverse studies. From polygenic risk scoring to pharmacogenomics and biomarker discovery, Isohelix products enabled researchers to unlock insights that bring us closer to precision psychiatry and personalized medicine.

To find out how Isohelix can help with DNA sample collection and isolation for your study, visit www.isohelix.com.

Isohelix Swabs can be used for human or animal donors

Isohelix Buccal Swabs make DNA sampling easy, whether the donor is human or an animal! In this recent study by Dutra et al (2024), the donors were canine, and the study was to evaluate the potential of using dogs’ apparent age, judged from photographs, as a non-invasive tool for assessing their welfare.

Relative Telomore Length

Can apparent age be used as an indicator of welfare?

Traditional welfare assessment methods often rely on behavioral and physiological indicators, which can be resource-intensive and invasive. This research explored whether apparent age, a measure used in humans to predict health and longevity, can also serve as an indicator of welfare in dogs by investigating its association with RTL.

Contact us to find out more about how Isohelix products can help with your sample collection, preservation and isolation.

Read the full paper here: https://www.mdpi.com/2813-9372/1/3/26