DNA material from PCR swabs (FOI)DNA material from PCR swabs (FOI)
Produced by the Freedom of Information officeAuthored by Government of Jersey and published on
21 December 2020.Prepared internally, no external costs.
Request
Please advise
A
What happens to the DNA material collected by the laboratory with the PCR swab on being tested for Coronavirus?
B
If it is retained
i) how long for?
ii) Does it get destroyed or used for any further purposes?
iii) If it is used for further purposes, what are these purposes?
Response
A
The material is autoclaved and then sent for incineration.
B
i) It is mainly kept for up to 7 days
ii) >95% is destroyed
iii) Some is kept and is used to verify that kit batches are working properly and to determine if new type of assays may be suitable for use. It is also used for sequencing.
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