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Nucleic Acid Purification

The need for high quality, highly pure DNA and RNA is important for a wide variety of research and clinical applications. These nucleic acids are being isolated from a variety of sources such as cells (including bacterial cells), PCR reactions, restriction enzyme digestions and agarose gel matrices, to name a few. Purification methods optimized for various sample types have emerged over time. Modifications are made periodically to improve sample quality and yield, reduce processing time, and to ensure compatibility with existing workflows and equipment.

When isolating nucleic acids from cells, the first step is to disrupt the cell membrane to release the DNA. This is often done using chaotropic salts, alkaline denaturation, or detergents. Next, the soluble components of the cell lysate must be separated from the cellular debris and other insoluble materials. Centrifugation and vacuum filtration are frequently used to accomplish this separation, but magnetic clearing has gained wide acceptance more recently. Lastly, the nucleic acids must be separated from the other soluble materials in the lysate, including proteins.

Once the DNA is in solution, regardless of whether it originated from cells or from an enzymatic reaction, there are many different methods that can be employed to isolate it from other soluble components.

FAQs for Nucleic Acid Purification

Protocols for Nucleic Acid Purification

Other Tools & Resources

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Legal Information

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While NEB develops and validates its products for various applications, the use of this product may require the buyer to obtain additional third party intellectual property rights for certain applications.

For more information about commercial rights, please contact NEB's Global Business Development team at gbd@neb.com.

This product is intended for research purposes only. This product is not intended to be used for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes in humans or animals.

Videos

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Learn how to do a plasmid miniprep using the Monarch Plasmid Miniprep Kit.
Monarch DNA Gel Extraction Kit protocol

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Tips for using the Monarch DNA Gel Extraction Kit

Optimize your DNA gel extractions with our quick tips for using the Monarch DNA Gel Extraction Kit.
Tips for using the Monarch PCR & DNA Cleanup Kit

Optimize your DNA isolation from PCR and other enzymatic reactions with our quick tips for using the Monarch PCR & DNA Cleanup Kit.
How to recycle your Monarch Kit components

Learn how you can easily recycle all of the components in your Monarch Kits.