Isohelix DNA swabs from Cell Projects are being used within research into chimpanzee genetics at Leicester University in the UK.
Dr Richard Badge from the Department of Genetics said that, together with the staff at Twycross Zoo, the team has been able to train chimps to open their mouths to allow buccal samples to be taken using Isohelix DNA swabs provided by Cell Projects, based in Maidstone, UK.
The DNA obtained from the buccal swabs is being used to study the movement of certain genes around the chromosomes of the chimps and it is hoped that this research into mobile DNA will provide an insight into diseases such as muscular dystrophy in humans.
Tom Hole, managing director of Cell Projects, said: 'Dr Badge has found that the high-yield design of the Isohelix swabs with minimal contact has enabled far greater efficiency of sampling over traditional swabs, making their life and the chimps tasks a lot easier.'
