Buccal swab storage - is saline solution enough? (Jul/02/2002 )

Would someone please advise me on what medium to use in storing cheek swab cells?  Is saline and freezing at -70 adequate until the cells are extracted?  Thank you

thomasja,

It depends on how long you want to store your samples before processing.  We acutally store our dried cytology brushes will buccal cells on them at -20C or -80C.  We have found that the cells are stable for 4 weeks when stored like this.  They may actually be stable longer in this state, we just never went past 4 weeks in our study.  This might be easier than trying to get the cells into saline, freezing, thawing and then pelleting the cells for DNA extraction especially if you are not looking for long term storage.