A DNA-Based Biological Sample Tracking Method

Abstract

Validity of data is inexorably linked to proper sample identification throughout the research process. Even low error rates in sample identification can have a significant, negative impact on study results. Unfortunately, most samples themselves are not tagged; instead, a label is placed on the container. The labels maybe illegibly printed, smudged, or fall off during storage. This can lead to misidentification of samples. GenVault has developed a novel backup system for labeling the biological samples themselves and not the container. For example, DNA samples are stored in a 384-well plate that contains Whatman FTA® paper and a mixture of a five or more oligonucleotide sets differing in length by 10 base pairs. This combination of oligonucleotides is referred to as GenCode and can be co-eluted along with the DNA sample, providing a permanent sample identifier. These oligonucleotides and primer pairs have been "BLASTed" against human genomic DNA sequence to ensure that they are not complementary and do no...