Long-term storage and recovery of buccal cell DNA from treated cards.

Economical methods for collecting and storing high-quality DNA are needed for large population-based molecular epidemiology studies. Buccal cell DNA collected via saliva and stored on treated filter paper cards could be an attractive method, but modest DNA yields and the potential for reduced recovery of DNA over time were unresolved impediments. Consequently, buccal cell DNA collection via oral mouthwash rinsing became the method of choice in epidemiologic studies.

Effects of electron-beam irradiation on buccal-cell DNA.

Buccal cells were collected from 29 participants, by use of mouthwash rinses, and were split into equal aliquots, with one aliquot irradiated by electron-beam (E-beam) irradiation equivalent to the sterilizing dosage used by the U.S. Postal Service and the other left untreated.