Three Advantages:
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Reduction in plastic use
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Time savings
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Better results
Nucleic acids play an essential role in the function of living cells, as they serve as the primary messengers to carry out protein synthesis. The two main classes of nucleic acid are DNA and RNA; the ability to obtain the purest samples possible of both classes of nucleic acids helps both researchers and clinicians learn even more about the functions of the human body and what methods we can use to fight diseases. But what is the most effective way to extract nucleic acids? Are the current methods efficient, and is there a better method?
One of the most traditional methods of extracting nucleic acids is through silica-based purification, which involves a bind-wash-elute process. This method is lauded as being fast, economical, and simple, however, the multiple wash and spin steps required make for a tedious protocol, and often less than promising results (i.e., false estimates of nucleic acid concentrations). Other known purification methods are phenol chloroform, magnetic bead-based methods, and anion exchange, with each method having its pros and cons.
The silica-based method is often touted for its simplicity. But what if there was an even more straightforward and cost-effective way to extract nucleic acids while getting better results and helping the environment, especially at a time when viral testing has become more important than ever?
As a result of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), the need for fast and efficient tests can sometimes mean the difference between life and death. The two tests used for SARS-CoV-2 are the PCR and antigen tests. The former is accurate but takes a while for the results, and the latter test is faster but less accurate. But what if there was a faster way to get to PCR?
GenElute™-E Single Spin DNA and RNA Purification Kits
While silica-based extraction methods are both simple and effective, we aim to improve on this more traditional method while delivering better results and helping the environment. We want to help science while reducing our environmental impact, so we’re introducing our GenElute™-E Viral RNA/DNA kits that reduce the number of spins, steps, tubes, and waste. With the GenElute™-E Viral RNA/DNA kits, you get to save both time and the environment.
As mentioned, one advantage of GenElute™-E Single Spin Technology is saving time, especially when it comes to lysis which involves releasing the DNA and RNA into a solution, and is a key step in the purification process. In silica-based methods, lysis takes anywhere from 45 minutes to overnight, while GenElute™-E purification only takes 10-40 minutes and completely eliminates the need for overnight incubation. Also, while the silica-based purification process involves 45 minutes of hands-on time and six centrifugation steps, GenElute™-E kits successfully reduce the hands-on time to three minutes with only one centrifugation step. Overall, this leads to more nucleic acid extraction and more science being done with far less energy and time spent by your researchers accomplishing tedious tasks that we can do in one step.
The second advantage of GenElute™-E RNA/DNA purification kits is fewer impurities which leads tobetter results. Silica-based methods introduce salts and organic solvents such as ethanol to the sample during the purification process which can often lead to false estimates of nucleic acid concentrations and weaker results in applications such as qPCR. GenElute™-E purification kits offer maximum nucleic acid purity and conditions for minimal interference in the enzymatic process. All scientists want the absolute best results in their research, and GenElute™-E kits produce high quality data thanks to fewer sample handling steps resulting in reduced impurities, and ultimately, cleaner data and results.
The final advantage of GenElute™-E RNA/DNA purification is the significant reduction in plastic waste as a result of a single centrifugation step for the purification process. Also, the absence of salts or organic solvents found in silica-based methods significantly reduces the hazardous waste produced and effects on the environment. It is estimated that GenElute™-E kits offer a 55% reduction in plastic waste compared to silica-based methods. With plastic waste reduced by more than half compared to traditional purification methods, you can accomplish great science while helping the environment.
The New GenElute™-E Viral RNA/DNA Kit
Sigma-Aldrich is proud to introduce our new fast and efficient GenElute™-E Viral RNA/DNA Swab Kit to assist you with all your disease research functionality and workflow needs, including SARS-CoV-2. The GenElute™-E Viral RNA/DNA Swab Kit comes with all the advantages that you get with the GenElute™-E brand, including time-savings, better results, and less waste. You can read more about our GenElute™-E Viral RNA/DNA Swab Kit with our technical guide which exemplifies similarities with both swab and stool samples in qPCR uses.
In a world where SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) is still very much active, timely and efficient results are key to determining what treatments you need to best fight the disease. With the GenElute™-E Viral RNA/DNA Swab Kit, you can get both a simplified and timesaving workflow to help isolate DNA and RNA with stool samples, genital swabs, and nasopharyngeal swabs. Processed with a single spin, samples are well-suited with dry swabs and a variety of transport media. We’re also happy to report that the GenElute™-E Viral RNA/DNA Kits were assessed using RNA swab samples for SARS-CoV-2 as well as qPCR application stool samples.
Why GenElute™-E Purification?
Keep your nucleic acid extraction simple with GenElute™-E kits, which will drastically decrease your workload and save both money and the environment. To go with the time, cost, and environmental positive impacts that GenElute™-E purification offers, some key applications for this method include the preparation of genomic DNA (gDNA) such as whole blood gDNA, cell culture gDNA, tissue gDNA, and plant gDNA, along with preparation of viral RNA/DNA to include nasopharyngeal swabs, genital swabs, and stool samples.
Why MilliporeSigma?
GenElute™-E Viral RNA/DNA Swab kits are just the latest in a multitude of products offered by MilliporeSigma meant to improve scientific and clinical research. These products include cell culture systems, single and multi-use systems, filtration and concentration, purification and separation, and detection and monitoring. To complement our clinical research, some of our other life science applications also include pharma, beverage, and food microbiological testing.
Timeline
The GenElute™ -E Viral RNA/DNA Swab Kit is now available for order, get 20% off your first order with the promo code “VIT”. Code valid through January 31, 2023.
Sources: Britannica, New England BioLabs, Promega, Sigma-Aldrich
*This article was written by Labroots Writer & Content Creator Laurence Tognetti for Millipore Sigma.
