Nucleic Acid Extraction Performance

Nucleic acids are important chemical compounds that can be found everywhere around us. They play a critical role in laboratory testing for early detection of diseases in humans and the biosphere surrounding us. Nucleic acid extraction can be the groundsel of many genetic and genomic studies. Acid extractions requires laboratory equipment, expertise and proper equipment.

Standard laboratory extraction procedure involves three major steps: lysis of cell nucleus membranes with surfactants (e.g., SDS, CTAB, or Triton X-100), denaturation of proteins by proteases (e.g., proteinase K), and purification of nucleic acids [1] [3]. However, the actual extraction protocols vary significantly depending on the purposes of sample preparation. For example, for genomic DNA isolation, white blood cells need to be separated from the rest of the blood components [2]. In contrast, for the detection of pathogenic nucleic acids or cell-free DNAs, either serum or pathogen-infected blood cells are separated before extraction [7]. Removing red blood cells also helps to reduce the inference of hemoglobin, which is one of the major sources of inhibitors for downstream NAA reactions [4] [5].

For DNA isolation magnetic beads (MBs) are used as a tool for nucleic acid extraction. Coupling of magnetic properties with specific ligands in MBs allows the separation and purification of nucleic acids in a highly efficient and specific manner. In fact, this technique has driven a technological revolution in biological research. [6]

The method of extracting nucleic acids by MBs is widely used in various fields. Applying a magnetic field attracts the target-bound molecule towards the magnet, separating them from the unwanted material or inhibitors without disturbing the nucleic acid of your interest. The method of extracting nucleic acids by magnetic beads has become the mainstream of modern molecular biology. [6]

Nucleic acids can be extracted both manually and with automated processes. Nevertheless proper equipment and handling of the samples is necessary for cost efficiency and time optimization. [6]

Sources

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Choi, J., Hyun, J.-C., Yang, S. (2015). On-chip Extraction of Intracellular Molecules in White Blood Cells from Whole Blood. Scientific Reports, 5. 15167. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/srep15167
Kim, J., Johnson, M., Hill, P., Gale, B., K. (2009). Microfluidic Sample Preparation: Cell Lysis and Nucleic Acid Purification. Integrative Biology. 1(10). 574-586. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/b905844c
Magro, L., Escadafal, C., Garneret, P., Jaquelin, B., Kwasiborski, A., Manuguerra, J.-C., Monti, F., Sakuntabhai, A., Vanhomwegen, J., Lafaye, P., Tabeling, P. (2017). Paper Microfluidics for Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing (NAAT) of Infectious Diseases. Lab on a Chip, 14. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/C7LC00013H
Paul, R., Ostermann, E., Wei, Q. (2020). Advances in point-of-care nucleic acid extraction technologies for rapid diagnosis of human and plant diseases. Biosensors and BioelectronicsDOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2020.112592
Tang, C., He, Z., Lui, H., Xu, Y., Huang, H., Yang, G., Xiao, Z., Li, S., Liu, H., Deng, Y., Chen, Z., Chen, H., He, N. (2020) Application of magnetic nanoparticles in nucleic acid detection. Journal of Nanobiotechnology. 18, 62.https://jnanobiotechnology.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12951-020-00613-6
Zhang, J., Su, X., Xu, J., Wang, J., Zeng, J., Li, C., Chen, W., Li, T., Min, X., Zhang, D., Zhang, S., Ge, S., Zhang, J., Xia, N. (2019). A Point of Care Platform Based on Microfluidic Chip for Nucleic Acid Extraction in Less Than 1 Minute. Biomicrofluidics, 13, 034102. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5088552