DNA purification is an important step in the process of preparation of samples. It removes salts and enzymes from the lysed samples, or PCR products, prior to sequencing and cloning. It also removes unwanted PCR artifacts, such as primer dimers and nucleotides not integrated. DNA purification is a critical process in molecular biology that requires careful planning to achieve high quality, reliable results.
There are many different methods to purifying DNA. The traditional DNA isolation methods contain a number of 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, precipitation of isopropanol and alcohol, and then finally, DNA elimination. These protocols require specialized equipment, like an electrophoresis and biosafety cabinets due the intercalating dyes used in electrophoresis gels.
Other methods for DNA purification employ spin columns or 96-well filter plates to remove contaminants by adhering them to the surface of the column or plate. These techniques can be very time-consuming particularly if you are working with an abundance of samples or if the columns have to be manually refilled.
Dipsticks decrease the number of sample processing steps from six to three. They bind nucleic compounds using a waxy substance made of cellulose and release them when in contact with water. This method is especially useful in settings with limited resources, such as remote sites and teaching labs. Its simplicity (30 s per sample) is a great fit for diagnostic molecular tests, such as detection of disease and genotype screening.
