DNA purification is an important step in the process of preparation of samples that removes salts, enzymes and other contaminants from lysed samples and PCR products prior to further procedures like cloning or sequencing. It also eliminates unwanted PCR artifacts such as primer dimers or nucleotides that are not incorporated. DNA purification in molecular biology research is a critical step that requires careful planning to ensure reliable, high-quality results.
There are many different methods to the purification of DNA. The most common methods for DNA isolation include many steps, including leukocyte separation or red blood cell lysis to remove inhibitors of heme protein of the PCR reaction. They also include deproteinization, RNAse treatment and precipitation using isopropanol and ethanol and then finally, DNA elution. Most of these protocols require the use of specialized equipment such as an electrophoresis device and biosafety cabinets because of the dangerous intercalating dyes used in the electrophoresis gel.
Other methods for DNA purification employ spin columns or 96-well filter plates that separate contamination by adsorbing them to the surface of the plate or column. These techniques can be very time-consuming particularly if you have lots of samples or if the columns need to be manually refilled.
Dipsticks decrease the number of sample processing steps from six to three. They bind nucleic acids using a waxy cellulose-based material and release them when water is present. This technique is especially useful in low-resource settings like remote field sites or teaching laboratories. Its simplicity (30 s per sample) makes it ideal for diagnostic molecular tests like disease detection and genotype screening.