DNA purification is a crucial step in the sample preparation workflow. It removes enzymes and salts from lysed samples, or PCR products, prior to cloning and https://mpsciences.com/2021/04/23/dna-purification-processes-for-different-applications/ sequencing. It also eliminates unwanted PCR-induced artefacts, such as primer dimers and nucleotides not integrated. DNA purification is an essential process in molecular biology that requires careful planning in order to obtain top-quality, reliable results.

The process of purifying DNA is accomplished in various ways. Traditional methods for DNA isolation involve several steps, including leukocyte separation or red blood cell lysis for the removal of heme proteins that block the PCR reaction, deproteinization, RNAse treatment, ethanol and isopropanol precipitation and finally DNA elution. These methods require specialized equipment, like an electrophoresis machine and biosafety cabinets due to the intercalating dyes used in gel electrophoresis.

Other methods for DNA purification employ spin columns or 96-well filter plates to remove contamination by adsorbing them to the surface of the plate or column. These approaches can be very laborious, especially when working with large amounts of samples or when the columns have to be refilled manually with new reagents.

Dipsticks dramatically reduce the number of steps involved in processing samples to three. They bind nucleic acids using a cellulose-based, waxy material and subsequently release them when in contact with water. This technique is especially useful in low-resource settings such as remote field sites and teaching labs. Its simplicity and speed (30 s for each sample) makes it highly suitable for diagnostic molecular applications like the detection of disease as well as genotype screening, and heterozygosity testing.