DNA purification is the step in a process of sample preparation which removes enzymes, salts and other contaminants from lysed samples and PCR products prior to further applications like cloning and sequencing. It also removes unwanted PCR artifacts such as primer dimers blog or nucleotides that are not incorporated. DNA purification in molecular biology research is an essential step that requires careful planning to ensure quality, reliable results.
Purifying DNA can be done in several ways. Traditional DNA isolation methods involve numerous steps, including leukocyte isolation or red blood cell lysis to remove heme proteins, which block the PCR reaction, deproteinization and the treatment of RNAse. These include ethanol and isopropanol precipitation, and finally DNA elimination. These methods require specialized equipment, including an electrophoresis machine and biosafety cabinets, due to the intercalating dyes used in electrophoresis gels.
Other methods of DNA purification use spin columns or 96-well filter plates to remove contaminants by adhering them to the surface of the plate or column. These approaches can be very laborious, especially when working with large numbers of samples or when the columns have to be manually filled with fresh chemicals.
Dipsticks reduce the number of sample processing steps from six to three. They bind nucleic acid using the cellulose-based cellulose wax and then release them when water is present. This method is particularly effective in low-resource settings, such as remote locations and teaching labs. Its simplicity (30 s per sample) is a great fit for diagnostic molecular tests such as those for disease detection and genotype screening.