Buccal swab
Buccal swab
A buccal swab is a method used to collect DNA from the cells on the inside of a person's cheek. This non-invasive procedure is commonly used in various fields such as genetics, forensics, and medical diagnostics.
Procedure[edit | edit source]
The procedure for obtaining a buccal swab is simple and painless. A sterile cotton swab or a small brush is rubbed against the inside of the cheek to collect epithelial cells. These cells contain DNA that can be analyzed for various purposes.
Applications[edit | edit source]
Genetic Testing[edit | edit source]
Buccal swabs are frequently used in genetic testing to identify genetic disorders, determine paternity, and for ancestry research. The DNA collected from the swab is analyzed in a laboratory to provide insights into an individual's genetic makeup.
Forensic Science[edit | edit source]
In forensic science, buccal swabs are used to collect DNA evidence from suspects and crime scenes. This DNA can be compared to DNA found at a crime scene to help identify or eliminate suspects.
Medical Diagnostics[edit | edit source]
In medical diagnostics, buccal swabs are used to detect genetic mutations that may indicate a predisposition to certain diseases. This can help in early diagnosis and personalized treatment plans.
Advantages[edit | edit source]
Buccal swabs offer several advantages over other methods of DNA collection:
- Non-invasive and painless
- Easy to perform
- Cost-effective
- Can be done at home or in a clinical setting
Limitations[edit | edit source]
While buccal swabs are highly effective, they do have some limitations:
- The amount of DNA collected may be insufficient for some types of analysis
- Contamination from food, drink, or other substances can affect the quality of the sample
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
See Also[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD