FAQs

We’re here to Help

Whether you’re wondering if you’re eligible, how the test works, or how to bring Catalyst to your community, you’re in the right place.
 
Below, you’ll find answers to the most common questions from participants, providers, researchers, and more.

Participant FAQs

For Participants

Eligibility & Enrollment

Anyone 19 or older who lives in Alabama may be eligible. There are a few exceptions—people who have had a bone marrow or stem cell transplant, received a blood transfusion in the last 6 months, or are currently incarcerated or in a state-ordered medical facility cannot join.

Nope! You don’t need insurance or a referral.

Yes, Catalyst is completely free. There’s no cost to you, no insurance needed, and no surprise fees. Everything is covered, including the genetic test, your results, and access to a certified genetic counselor.

Catalyst is also a research program. When you join, your de-identified data will be used for research. This means your name and personal details are removed, and the information cannot be traced back to you. Your privacy is protected, and your participation helps improve health for people across Alabama.

No, you do not need to see or have a doctor to join Catalyst. You can sign up now, order a genetic testing kit, and your results will come to you via a genetic counselor.

You can join Catalyst online through our portal. It only takes a few minutes to get started and order your genetic test.

If you lose or damage your kit, reach out to our team by either emailing us at catalyst@southernresearch.org or by calling us at (205) 581-2389. Our team will work with you to get another kit shipped to you.

Yes, participation in Catalyst is completely voluntary. You can withdraw from the program at any time directly through your participant portal.

What’s Involved

Joining Catalyst is simple. You will:

  1. Create an account
  2. Consent to participate
  3. Order your genetic test
  4. Swab and send your sample back
  5. Receive your results

Creating your account, consenting, and ordering your test typically takes 10–30 minutes. Your cheek swab kit will arrive by mail in about 2 weeks. The swab itself takes less than 5 minutes. Once you mail your sample back, your results will be ready in approximately 6–8 weeks.

Your sample is collected using an at-home cheek swab kit that we send directly to your home. The cheek swab is quick, easy. We’ll walk you through each step to make the process simple and stress-free.

Tests & Results

You will receive at least two results:

  • Single-gene risk results – Findings across 84 clinically actionable genes. These results identify genetic changes that can directly inform your care and support decision-making in a clinical setting.
  • Medication response results – Insights into how your body processes and responds to more than 70 commonly prescribed medications, helping guide safer and more effective treatment choices.
  • Polygenic risk scores – Estimates your health risk scores for common conditions including:

Catalyst testing covers a wide range of health insights:

  • Clinically Actionable Genes (84 genes)
    • Heart conditions
    • Connective tissue disorders
    • Rare inherited conditions
    • Hereditary cancers – including well-known genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 (breast and ovarian cancer), TP53 (Li-Fraumeni syndrome), and MLH1 and MSH2 (Lynch syndrome)
  • Medications (70+ drugs across 15 genes)
    • Behavioral health (antidepressants, antipsychotics, ADHD medications)
    • Pain management (opioids, NSAIDs)
    • Cardiology (statins, warfarin, clopidogrel)
    • Cancer therapies (tamoxifen, fluorouracil, capecitabine)
    • Other areas: gastroenterology, neurology, infectious disease, transplant
  • Polygenic risk scores -Estimates your health risk scores for common conditions including:

Your results will be sent directly to your email from MyOme, and you may also receive a phone call from DNAVisit, our free genetic counseling partner. To access your results you will need to log in to the MyOme patient portal. For step-by-step instructions, visit the Access Results page.

If you have questions, please reach out to the Catalyst Team at catalyst@southernresearch.org or (205) 581-2389.

As part of participating in Catalyst, you receive a free appointment with a genetic counselor. You will schedule this appointment through your MyOme portal (where you review your results). To access your results and log in to your MyOme portal to request your appointment, visit the Access Results page.

If you have questions, please reach out to the Catalyst Team at catalyst@southernresearch.org or (205) 581-2389.

Privacy & Data

Your personal genetic test results will be shared only with you, the free HIPAA-certified genetic counselor, and your regular doctor if you choose to share them.

For research, your genetic information is de-identified, which means anything that could link it back to you (like your name or contact info) is removed. Researchers only see the anonymous data, and it’s stored securely to protect your privacy.

Only you will know you took the test unless you choose to share your results. Your genetic test results are private and are only shared with the genetic counselor and, if you choose, your medical provider.

Your results are de-identified and are used for research. De-identified means your name and personal details are removed so it cannot be traced back to you.

Other

Yes, your results are yours to share freely with anyone you choose. Within the MyOme Patient Portal, where you access your results, you will be able to share your results with anyone you choose.

To learn how to access your results, visit the Access Results page. To share your results, log into the MyOme Patient Portal.

Yes, you can contact us anytime by phone at (205) 581-2389 or email at catalyst@southernresearch.org any time, and you have access to a cost-free genetic counselor once you receive your results.