Photograph by Matt KaplanWolfgang Haak discusses genotyping protocol.
Posted by Nirav Merchant.
Barcodes are everywhere you look, from products on a store shelf to express mail and books. You are always a glance away from the omnipresent black and white bands. So what do barcodes have to do with Genographic work in the field?
Scientists from each Genographic regional center travel to remote locations to gather DNA samples which they collect and transport in small vials and tubes. To ensure that there are no mix ups or data entry errors, the vials and accompanying forms are given matching barcodes, similar to labels and GPIDs in the public participation kits. Once the samples arrive back at the regional center, they are scanned using a barcode reader and they are ready to begin testing. As the DNA travels through the various testing stages, the barcode allows us to track its progress and location.
