iSWAB Microbiome Collection Kit (with FecesCatcher)

SKU: ISWAB-MBF-1200

Additional Information & Downloads

iSWAB Microbiome Collection Kit (with FecesCatcher)

The iSWAB-Microbiome (with FecesCatcher) has been proven to efficiently inactivate bacteria, fungi, spores, and DNA/RNA viruses allowing safer transport of biological samples to processing labs, especially when samples are subject to long transit times. DNA and RNA from collected microorganisms remains stable at room temperature for up to 40 days for DNA, and 21 days for RNA, eliminating the need for expedited cold chain transport. The iSWAB-Microbiome (with FecesCatcher) is a non-toxic stabilizing technology that enables inactivation of bacteria, fungi, spores, and viruses, allows ambient collection and transport of various biosamples, and maintains the status quo at the time of collection. iSWAB-MBF provides a representative snapshot of the microbial community that remains unchanged from collection to processing and is supplied with a FecesCatcher unit to simplify home fecal sample collection. Purified microbial DNA or RNA isolated from collected samples are compatible with qPCR, microarray, and NGS for microbiome research in health, wellness, and forensics.

Challenges with Traditional Methods:

• Freezing: Requires expensive cold chain logistics, alters microbial representation, and impacts DNA quality through thawing and pre-processing.
• Organic Solvents: Toxic and regulated, these solvents can distort microbial representation and limit analysis to DNA with minimal RNA application.

The iSWAB™-Microbiome (iSWAB™-MB) device addresses these issues with its non-toxic stabilizing technology. It features a pre-filled 1.0 mL stabilizing buffer that maintains the microbial status quo from the moment of collection. This buffer, combined with a proprietary insert, optimizes specimen release into the stabilizing solution, allowing for swab-free transport and reducing the sample's footprint.

Storage and Handling

Before use, store the kit at 15-30°C for up to 18 months. After sample collection, maintain samples at 15-30°C for up to 21 days for RNA and 40 days for DNA. For extended storage, samples can be kept at -20 to -80°C.

Additional Info:

• Non-toxic stabilization; no organic, hazardous solvent fixatives or detergents.
• Microbial presentation maintained intact from time of collection for weeks at room temperature (real time testing ongoing).
• No bloom effect correction needed for microbiome data. Both aerobic and anaerobic bacterial communities stabilized from collection to processing.
• Ambient temperature transport and storage with no cold chain involvement. iSWAB-MB buffer allows selective isolation of bacterial DNA or RNA with minimal or no human genomic DNA contamination.
• The stabilization buffer efficiently inactivates bacteria, fungi, spores, and viruses allowing safe transport of biological samples.
• Purified bacterial DNA or RNA isolated from collected samples are compatible with qPCR, microarray and NGS based applications.
• Scalable and customizable platform capable of stabilizing up to 20g of fecal or soil material in standard collection containers.

How Mawi DNA iSWAB Works: