Isolation of Nucleic Acid

Abstract

The present invention provides a method of isolating nucleic acid from a sample, said method comprising contacting said sample with a detergent and a solid support, whereby soluble nucleic acid in said sample is bound to the support, and separating said support with bound nucleic acid from the sample. Where the method of the invention is used to isolate DNA, it may conveniently be coupled with a further step to isolate RNA from the same sample.

1 . A method of isolating nucleic acid from a sample, said method comprising contacting said sample with a detergent and a solid support, whereby soluble nucleic acid in said sample is bound to the support, and separating said support with bound nucleic acid from the sample. 
     
     
         2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the nucleic acid is RNA. 
     
     
         3 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the nucleic acid is DNA. 
     
     
         4 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising an additional step to isolate RNA from the sample. 
     
     
         5 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising one or more additional steps to disrupt structural components in the sample or to achieve lysis of cells in the sample. 
     
     
         6 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the detergent is anionic. 
     
     
         7 . A method as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the detergent is sodium dodecyl sulphate, or another alkali metal alkylsulphate salt, or sarkosyl. 
     
     
         8 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the concentration of detergent is 0.2 to 30% (w/v). 
     
     
         9 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the detergent is contained in a composition additionally comprising one or more monovalent cations, chelating agents or reducing agents. 
     
     
         10 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the detergent is used in alkaline solution. 
     
     
         11 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the solid support is particulate. 
     
     
         12 . A method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the solid support comprises magnetic beads. 
     
     
         13 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the solid support has a hydrophobic surface. 
     
     
         14 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the nucleic acid is eluted from the support, following separation from the sample. 
     
     
         15 . A method as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the nucleic acid is eluted by heating. 
     
     
         16 . A kit for isolating nucleic acid from a sample, comprising a solid support and one or more detergents as defined in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         17 . A kit as claimed in  claim 16 , further comprising one or more buffers, salts, lysis agents, chelating agents and/or reducing agents. 
     
     
         18 . A kit as claimed in  claim 16 , further comprising means for isolating RNA.