Lysis, binding and/or wash reagent for isolating and/or purifying nucleic acids

Abstract

The present invention relates to a lysis, binding and/or wash reagent for isolating and/or purifying nucleic acids and a method for isolating and/or purifying nucleic acids.

1 . A method for isolating or purifying nucleic acids from a nucleic acid-containing biological sample, comprising:
 a) lysing the biological sample in the presence of a lysis composition,   b) immobilizing the released nucleic acid(s) on a matrix based on one or more silicon oxide compound(s) in the presence of a binding composition,   c) optionally washing the nucleic acid(s) immobilized on the matrix, and   d) optionally removing the bound nucleic acid,   wherein the lysis composition, the binding composition, or both the lysis composition and the binding composition comprise:   at least one chaotropic compound that is a guanidinium salt,   at least one buffer compound, and   at least one polyoxyethylene fatty alcohol ether selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene cetyl ether, polyoxyethylene stearyl ether, and polyoxyethylene oleyl ether in the range from ≧3% weight/volume to ≦30% weight/volume based on the total volume of the composition.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the binding composition further comprises a branched or unbranched alcohol. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the polyoxyethylene fatty alcohol ether comprises a polyoxyethylene component containing from 2 to 150 (CH 2 CH 2 O) units. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the polyoxyethylene fatty alcohol ether is polyoxyethylene cetyl ether. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the lysis or binding composition comprises a polyoxyethylene fatty alcohol ether in the range from ≧3% weight/volume to ≦10% weight/volume. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the lysis or binding composition comprises a polyoxyethylene fatty alcohol ether in the range from ≧3.2% weight/volume to ≦8% weight/volume based on the total volume of the composition.