Shipping Check Cell Samples for PTC Taste Tedt for Extended Family
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Bryan Daniels
Jun 20, 2016, 9:49:24 AM6/20/16
to DIYbio
I am looking for a nice manageable project to do with my kids (ages 12 - 16). I've decided to use a kit (http://www.minipcr.com/product/minipcr-genotype-to-phenotype-ptc-taster-lab/). Nice example of Mendelian inheritance. Compare genotype with phenotype and see if it actually works in practice
I would like to do this not just for immediate family, but also for extended family. (All in US.) Any suggestions on how to get check samples and ship them back to us for analysis. I have seen some rather expensive commercial kits, but wonder about a DIY approach to this. I had intended to send each relative PTC paper, swab, vial for completed samples and a return envelopevpacks. Not sure about preserving DNA and shipping regulations. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.
Nathan McCorkle
Jun 20, 2016, 6:52:57 PM6/20/16
to diybio
I think a minimal shipping buffer might be alcohol and tris-EDTA? I
have no idea about shipping alcohol... it probably depends on the
tax-bracket it fell under when purchased (from liquor store, from
lab-company where you paid more taxes to get untarnished almost pure
alcohol which wasn't destined for 'food') in addition to hazardous
concerns
On Mon, Jun 20, 2016 at 6:49 AM, Bryan Daniels <cdan...@nandor.net> wrote:
> I am looking for a nice manageable project to do with my kids (ages 12 - 16). I've decided to use a kit (http://www.minipcr.com/product/minipcr-genotype-to-phenotype-ptc-taster-lab/). Nice example of Mendelian inheritance. Compare genotype with phenotype and see if it actually works in practice
>
> I would like to do this not just for immediate family, but also for extended family. (All in US.) Any suggestions on how to get check samples and ship them back to us for analysis. I have seen some rather expensive commercial kits, but wonder about a DIY approach to this. I had intended to send each relative PTC paper, swab, vial for completed samples and a return envelopevpacks. Not sure about preserving DNA and shipping regulations. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.
>
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-Nathan
have no idea about shipping alcohol... it probably depends on the
tax-bracket it fell under when purchased (from liquor store, from
lab-company where you paid more taxes to get untarnished almost pure
alcohol which wasn't destined for 'food') in addition to hazardous
concerns
On Mon, Jun 20, 2016 at 6:49 AM, Bryan Daniels <cdan...@nandor.net> wrote:
> I am looking for a nice manageable project to do with my kids (ages 12 - 16). I've decided to use a kit (http://www.minipcr.com/product/minipcr-genotype-to-phenotype-ptc-taster-lab/). Nice example of Mendelian inheritance. Compare genotype with phenotype and see if it actually works in practice
>
> I would like to do this not just for immediate family, but also for extended family. (All in US.) Any suggestions on how to get check samples and ship them back to us for analysis. I have seen some rather expensive commercial kits, but wonder about a DIY approach to this. I had intended to send each relative PTC paper, swab, vial for completed samples and a return envelopevpacks. Not sure about preserving DNA and shipping regulations. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.
>
> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups DIYbio group. To post to this group, send email to diy...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to diybio+un...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at https://groups.google.com/d/forum/diybio?hl=en
> Learn more at www.diybio.org
> ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "DIYbio" group.
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> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
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-Nathan
Kermit Henson
Jun 21, 2016, 3:41:22 AM6/21/16
to DIYbio
In my experience, saliva swabs just work fine. You just need to avoid high temperatures and store at 4ºC (normal fridge) or lower.
I bought cheaper, just take a look for Omniswab (general electric)
If you can, avoid Oragene and similars. They give you nice amount of quality DNAm, but the chepeast is about 15USD/unit.
In order to extract the DNA from the cells, I would recommend some cheap brand like Tiangen or similar (aliexpress/ebay). You just need a centrifuge and a micropipiete.
So, you can send the swab with a small zip bag. Then, the user collects the sample and send it back to you. I know about contamination problems blablabla... but it works
Bryan Daniels
Jun 22, 2016, 7:55:51 AM6/22/16
to DIYbio
Nathan and Kermit - Thanks very much for your response and help.
Josiah Zayner
Jun 22, 2016, 11:45:52 AM6/22/16
to DIYbio
Hey Bryan,
First I would say don't spend $60 on that kit. We have much better prices http://the-odin.com. Any sterile swab will do, you can find some pretty inexpensively on Amazon.
You can probably get away with storing the cells in water. 50mM NaOH 50mM TE is probably best but you can probably get away with 50mM NaOH or 50mM Tris or TE or most any buffer. The spontaneous hydrolysis half-life of DNA is something like 50,000 years so you are pretty much only worried about DNases, even so, the chances that they chop up your gene of interest(PTC) in all the genomes is small.
Feel free to email me with any questions if you need more help.
Josiah
First I would say don't spend $60 on that kit. We have much better prices http://the-odin.com. Any sterile swab will do, you can find some pretty inexpensively on Amazon.
You can probably get away with storing the cells in water. 50mM NaOH 50mM TE is probably best but you can probably get away with 50mM NaOH or 50mM Tris or TE or most any buffer. The spontaneous hydrolysis half-life of DNA is something like 50,000 years so you are pretty much only worried about DNases, even so, the chances that they chop up your gene of interest(PTC) in all the genomes is small.
Feel free to email me with any questions if you need more help.
Josiah
Mac Cowell
Jun 23, 2016, 4:39:05 PM6/23/16
to DIYbio
70% ethanol is commonly used to preserve tissue samples prior to gDNA purification/extraction and then PCR. As I understand it's used a lot in the field for preserving samples for DNA barcoding. It's simple, affordable, and effective.
Unfortunately, usps regulations are extra restrictive when it comes to shipping ethanol in particular, as opposed to isopropyl alcohol, methanol, TE, other complex buffers etc. Probably intended to regulate access to intoxicating beverages via the mail, but I don't believe they include exceptions for research samples. Do some googling if you are concerned about that, or check ups / fedex / dhl regs.
Unfortunately, usps regulations are extra restrictive when it comes to shipping ethanol in particular, as opposed to isopropyl alcohol, methanol, TE, other complex buffers etc. Probably intended to regulate access to intoxicating beverages via the mail, but I don't believe they include exceptions for research samples. Do some googling if you are concerned about that, or check ups / fedex / dhl regs.
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Bryan Daniels
Jun 23, 2016, 6:03:14 PM6/23/16
to DIYbio
Josiah - I should have checked the-odin.com first!
Sounds like DNA is pretty hardy. So for check cells: 1) Swab check with sterile swab, 2) Put swab in small tube with buffer (or as Mackenzie suggests ethanol) and 3) Ship in padded envelope. About it?
Thanks
Bryan
First I would say don't spend $60 on that kit. We have much better prices http://the-odin.com. Any sterile swab will do, you can find some pretty inexpensively on Amazon.
You can probably get away with storing the cells in water. 50mM NaOH 50mM TE is probably best but you can probably get away with 50mM NaOH or 50mM Tris or TE or most any buffer. The spontaneous hydrolysis half-life of DNA is something like 50,000 years so you are pretty much only worried about DNases, even so, the chances that they chop up your gene of interest(PTC) in all the genomes is small.
Josiah
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