A clinically validated human saliva metatranscriptomic test for global systems biology studies

We report here the development of a high throughput, automated, inexpensive, and clinically validated saliva metatranscriptome test that requires less than 100 microliters of saliva. The RNA in the samples is preserved at the time of collection. Samples can then be stored and transported at ambient temperatures for up to 28 days without significantly affecting the test results. Another important feature of the sample preservative is that it inactivates all classes of pathogens, enabling safe transportation globally. Given the unique set of convenience, low cost, safety, and technical performance, this saliva metatranscriptomic test can be integrated into longitudinal, global scale, systems biology studies that will lead to an accelerated development of precision medicine diagnostic and therapeutic tools. Method Summary This report describes an important improvement to saliva transcriptome analysis. While current methods are complicated and expensive, the method reported here includes at-home sample collection, global shipping at ambient temperatures and pathogen inactivation at the point of collection; it uses fully automated, clinically validated and licensed laboratory and bioinformatic analyses. ### Competing Interest Statement All authors are current or former employees of Viome, Inc. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.