Traditional DNA and RNA extraction methods often rely on proteinase K, SDS, and purification by columns, beads, or solvent extraction. Extraneous agents are added that subsequently need to be removed – all in an effort to produce high-quality nucleic acids.
Much of the problem is the inadequacy of the lysis step. Proteinase K doesn’t work at a high enough temperature to denature the proteins it is digesting. To compensate, SDS is added but is toxic to every downstream diagnostic. So it must be removed, initiating a cascade of steps – each solving what was done in the previous step.
The MicroGEM Advantage
Our specially-formulated cocktails of thermophilic and mesophilic enzymes and buffers work at different temperatures, creating coordinated temperature-driven reactions easily done using a thermal cycler or MicroGEM's PDQeX Nucleic Acid Extractor.
Our simplified workflow produces high-quality DNA and RNA from a single cell or from thousands of cells – all in minutes, not hours – with good yields, less chance of error, and reduced risk of cross-contamination.
Workflow Comparison Using Temperature-Controlled Extraction vs Conventional Extraction Methods
The thermophilic proteinase activates with a simple temperature change. The whole process is easily automated in a single tube using standard laboratory equipment – a standard thermocycler can be programmed to carry out the extraction or use MicroGEM's PDQeX Nucleic Acid Extractor for simple automation.
The result? Single-tube nucleic acid extractions, even from challenging samples, compatible with STR, PCR, qPCR and Whole Genome Sequencing without purification steps.