Case study
DNA collected with Oragene®/saliva collection kitsfacilitates multiple research projects in Japan
Dr. Akira Hata, Professor and Chairman

Department of Public Health, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan

Study overview
Dr. Akira Hata is a Professor and the Chairman of the Department of Public Healthat Chiba University. Dr. Hata is a well-known genetic epidemiologist who has
published 20 papers on the genetics of disease in leading journals, most featuring
the Oragene®/saliva sample collection kits. Dr. Hata and his associates at theDepartment of Public Health at Chiba University use genomics to identify themolecular mechanism of allergic disorders‚ including bronchial asthma‚ allergic
rhinitis and eczema and its application to a clinical setting. Kawasaki disease (KD)is another subject of research. Dr. Hata has adopted human genetic researchmethods targeting the entire genome in hopes of locating the susceptibility genes
for the target disease on the chromosomes, and then uses that information to
identify the genetic background of disease and disease susceptibility.
Dr. Hata is currently involved in multiple projects in which he aims to identify thegenetic causes of a variety of diseases. For each research project, he must collecthundreds of DNA samples with each project taking up to 5 years to complete.

Main challenges
The main challenge for these studies is the high quality and high concentrationof DNA required for genome-wide analysis including exome sequencing or
genome-wide epigenetic analysis (methylation patterns). Both methods require
high quality and a high concentration of DNA.
In addition, there is a wide range of ages among the target group of participants.
The participants (cases and controls) range from young children (less than 2 yearsold) to adults (depending on the disease or condition being researched). The
participants are often not located close to the university so DNA collection by mailand in outpatient clinics is often required.

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Superior samples
Proven performanceCollection methods considered
While blood is often used for studies such as these, Dr. Hata wanted access to a
DNA collection method that would facilitate a mail-based study for the participants
who are distant from the university or an outpatient clinic. The inclusion of young
children in some of the studies warranted the use of non-invasive DNA collection.
Oragene was the primary method considered due to its easy-to-use collection
method, high quality DNA and stability at ambient temperatures for years.

Why Oragene/saliva collection kits
Dr. Hata and his team of researchers believed that a non-invasive, high quality
collection method that was based on saliva would be a viable alternative for theirstudy participants. The Oragene/saliva collection kits provide a completely
non-invasive and easy-to-use option for collecting DNA while meeting therequirements for both quality and concentration. Oragene/saliva samples canbe stored at ambient temperature for years, offering the study team the flexibility
they need with regard to storage and extraction. Finally, the Oragene/saliva
collection kits are available in formats suitable for collection from adults as well
as young children.
“We chose Oragene because
the saliva collection kit offers anon‑invasive method to collect DNA.
The ambient temperature storage
is ideal for us as we had multiple
outpatient clinics for DNA collection
as well as mail-based collectionin Japan. Our use of Oragene hashelped us identify the ITPKC geneas one of the responsible genes
for Kawasaki disease and we are
now trying to evaluate its validity
for personalized medicine of KD
in a cohort study.”

Results
The Oragene/saliva collection kits are providing the required results for Dr. Hataand his team. Their average yield with the Oragene kits is 91 µg.
Dr. Hata is achieving good compliance rates for his studies by using the Oragene/saliva collection kits and the participants are happy to have a non-invasive option
for providing a DNA sample. Dr. Hata collaborates with the National Genetics
Institute of Japan for his downstream analysis. Samples collected with Oragene
have performed well on all downstream analysis platforms including small-scalesequencing and exome sequencing using the Illumina HiSeq platform.

Dr. Akira Hata
Department of Public Health,Chiba University Graduate Schoolof Medicine

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Superior samples • Proven performance
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