The kit features an innovative column design which allows efficient elution in volumes of only 5-20ul, thereby facilitating the isolation of highly concentrated DNA
UK scientists can now order the new Macherey-Nagel NucleoSpin plasma XS kit through Thermo Fisher Scientific, Epsom, UK.
NucleoSpin Plasma XS is designed to facilitate the rapid isolation of fragmented DNA as small as 50-1000bp from human EDTA blood plasma, whose increased presence can be indicative of cancer, autoimmune diseases, certain foetal disorders and bacterial or viral infections.
This is made possible by use of a unique new thrust ring in a special funnel design that allows standard mini prep spin columns to hold a silica membrane of very small diameter.
This overcomes the limitations of conventional kits whose large membrane diameter is associated with large default elution volumes resulting in a DNA concentration too low to be directly used as a PCR template.
By contrast, the high concentration of DNA produced by NucleoSpin Plasma XS is ready for direct use as a real-time PCR template in all typical downstream applications.
This saves time by freeing users from the need to perform speedvac concentration procedures prior to PCR analysis, and sensitivity of testing is enhanced.
"Circulating DNA is known to be highly fragmented and typically low in concentration which has traditionally created difficulties in terms of purification when using conventional kits", explains Valentina Janusic, product life cycle manager at Thermo Fisher Scientific, Epsom, UK.
"The new NucleoSpin Plasma XS kit provides a convenient and efficient way of isolating high concentrations of purified DNA from plasma samples up to 240ul in volume, using silica membrane technology which is known for its high reliability.
"This makes it an ideal solution for routine laboratory use, assisting in research and drug discovery applications for cancer and many other serious conditions."
