DNA purification is an important step in the process of preparation of samples which removes enzymes, salts and other contaminants from lysed samples or PCR products prior to further procedures like cloning or sequencing. It also eliminates unwanted PCR artifacts such as primer dimers and nucleotides not integrated. DNA purification in molecular biological research is an essential step that requires careful planning to ensure high-quality, reliable results.
The process of purifying DNA can be accomplished in various ways. The most common methods for DNA isolation include many steps, including leukocyte separation or red blood cell lysis, to eliminate inhibitors of heme proteins of the PCR reaction. They also include deproteinization, RNAse treatment, ethanol and isopropanol precipitation, and then finally, DNA elution. A majority of these procedures http://www.mpsciences.com/2021/04/01/types-of-science-products-available/ require the use of special equipment like an electrophoresis system and a biosafety cabinet due to the dangers of intercalating dyes in the gel electrophoresis.
Other methods for DNA purification utilize spin columns or 96-well filter plates to separate out contaminated particle by adsorbing to the surface. These techniques can be very time-consuming, especially if you have a large number of samples or if the columns need to be filled manually.
Dipsticks decrease the number of sample processing steps from six to three. They bind nucleic acids with waxy cellulose and subsequently release them when in contact with water. This method is particularly effective in settings with limited resources, such as remote sites or teaching labs. Its simplicity and speed (30 s for each sample) is a great fit for molecular diagnostics like the detection of disease, genotype screening and heterozygosity testing.
