DNA yield with an Oragene® self-collection kit†
H.C. Birnboim

DNA Genotek, Ottawa, Ontario, CanadaIntroduction
The number of studies collecting genomic DNA froma large number of individuals is increasing rapidly.
Non-invasive methods and techniques that permit
self-collection are preferred because they increase
compliance rates and reduce costs. The Oragene
self-collection kit is non-invasive and intuitive to use.
The donor spits 2 mL of saliva into the collection tube
and closes the funnel lid to release the Oragene solution
which stabilizes the sample at ambient temperature.
The amount of DNA recovered from the oralcavity can vary widely depending on the collection
method (Table 1). This technical bulletin reports
the amount of DNA obtained from saliva using theOragene/saliva sample.
Collection method

Median DNA yield (µg)

Cotton swab1

1.9

Guthrie cards2

2.3

Cytobrush3

6.8

Mouthwash4

35.1

Table 1: Comparison of DNA yield obtained by different collection methods.

†Materials and methods
Saliva samples were obtained from 208 donors.
Collection and purification of DNA was carried out
according to the optimized Oragene purification
protocol using prepIT™•L2P5 (DNA Genotek).
DNA yield was determined by the highly specificFluorescence/DNase method6. The F/D method
quantitates DNA using SYBR® Green I dye(Molecular Probes, Inc.) and DNase treatment.

Results
The DNA yield of Oragene/saliva samples from208 donors is shown in Figure 1. The median amountof DNA was 110 µg. The 25th percentile was 62 µg
and the 75th percentile was 158 µg.

Total DNA/sample (µg)

The Oragene® self-collection kit gives higher DNAyields than other oral collection methods. In this studyof 208 donors, the median yield of DNA from Oragene
samples is 110 µg. In comparison, buccal swabs may
yield as little as 1.9 µg of DNA.

Figure 2: Scattergram of total DNA yield in 208 Oragene/saliva
samples. The dashed line represents the median value of 110 µg.

Saliva samples were collected with Oragene®•DNA or Oragene®•DISCOVER.

(outside the USA)(in the USA)

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Conclusions
The Oragene kit is designed for non-invasive
DNA self-collection that can be used by untrained
study subjects, including children and the elderly.
The median DNA yield from Oragene/saliva samples
is 110 µg. This is significantly higher than otheroral collection methods.

References
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6Cozier, Y., Palmer, J. and Rosenberg, L. (2003). Comparison of methods for collection of DNA samples by mail in the black women’s
health study. AEP. 14, 117-122.
Harty, L., Garcia-Closas, M., Rothman, N., Reid, Y., Tucker, M. and Hartge, P. (2000). Collection of buccal cell DNA using treatedcards. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. 9, 501–506.
Montserrat, G., Egan, K., Abruzzo, J., Newcomb, P., Titus-Ernstoﬀ, L., Franklin, T., et al. (2001). Collection of genomic DNA fromadults in epidemiological studies by buccal cytobrush and mouthwash. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. 10, 687-696.
Le Marchand, L., Lum-Jones, A., Saltzman, B., Visaya, V., Nomura, A. and Kolonel, L. (2001). Feasibility of collecting buccal
cell DNA by mail in a cohort study. 10, 701-703.
Laboratory protocol for manual purification of DNA from 0.5 mL of sample. DNA Genotek. PD-PR-006.
DNA quantification using the Fluorescence/DNase (F/D) assay. Replaced by DNA quantification using SYBR Green I dyeand a micro-plate reader. DNA Genotek. PD-PR-075.

Oragene®•DNA is not available for sale in the United States.
Oragene®•DISCOVER is for research use only, not for use in diagnostic procedures.
®Oragene is a registered trademark and prepIT™ is a trademark of DNA Genotek Inc. All other brands and names contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
All DNA Genotek protocols, white papers and application notes, are available in the support section of our website at www.dnagenotek.com.

PD-WP-001 Issue 3/2011-11© 2011 DNA Genotek Inc., a subsidiary of OraSure Technologies, Inc., all rights reserved.

www.dnagenotek.com • support@dnagenotek.com

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