New DNA Preservation Method Let's People Store Their DNA at Home

A personal genetic testing company, DNA Direct, has announced a new method of preserving DNA that allows for inexpensive home DNA storage, making gene preservation a reality for everyone. The method, DNA Archive, results in samples that can be stored without freezing and reconstituted simply.

"Genetic technology is advancing so quickly that storing DNA for the future is the smart thing to do," says Ryan Phelan, CEO of DNA Direct. "As more sophisticated testing increasingly becomes available, we can use stored DNA to gain valuable insights into our family's medical history. Storing our own, our parents', or our grandparents' DNA using DNA Archive preserves our genetic history for the future."

To store DNA at home customers first use the kit to take a simple cheek swab sample, which is then mailed to the laboratory for extraction. There the DNA is dried and "shrink wrapped" through a synthetic medium, SampleMatrix. Once preserved the DNA is returned to in lab quality, UV resistant tubes for storage. The sample can be reconstituted in a lab using only water, and three samples are included so it can be stored in multiple locations.

DNA banking services already exist, but are expensive and complicated due annual fees for freezing and off-site storage. DNA Archive samples don't need to be frozen, only kept in a dry location. To get a sample of your own DNA from DNA Direct you only have to order the service through their website for $175. Thorough genetic testing is extra, but can include as diverse screens as diabetes risk, blood clotting disorders, to Ashkenazi Jewish carrier screening and even whole genome sequencing.

The testing company is privately owned and provides other services such as genetic counseling, consumer genetics, and confidential medical genetic testing. The maker of the synthetic medium used in the preservation, Biomatrica, provides storage solutions and sample management software for laboratories.