A saline solution is commonly used when collecting cheek cells primarily because the act of rinsing helps to gather the cells from the mouth lining. Furthermore, according to certain protocols, the salt within the solution plays a crucial role in stabilizing the DNA after it is released from the collected cells.
Collecting Cheek Cells
The process of isolating cheek cells often involves simply rinsing the mouth vigorously. When you rinse your mouth with a saline solution, the liquid helps to detach and collect the epithelial cells that line the inside of your cheeks. These cells are then suspended in the rinsing solution, making them available for further processing in a DNA isolation protocol.
Stabilizing Released DNA
Beyond the collection step, the sodium chloride (salt) present in the saline solution serves another important function in some DNA isolation procedures. As noted in specific protocols, the salt is used to stabilise the DNA, once it has been released. This occurs after the cheek cells have been collected and then broken open (lysed) to free their genetic material. The presence of salt ions can help maintain the structure and integrity of the DNA molecule, which is essential for successful downstream analysis.
