We are processing bear scat samples using a MagMax DNA multisample kit on a Hamilton robot (similar question already asked by my colleague, see attached link). It would appear that for samples from Proteus sp., evaporating the sample and resuspending it in elution buffer produced genotypes, whereas before, about 10% of the sample did not work at all. This could be attributed to the removal of alcohol, which is a known inhibitor of PCR even in small concentrations.
It would be nice if we could remove as much alcohol as possible to prevent PCR inhibition. How do you control for the uneven drying of beads (before adding elution buffer) in 96 well processing plates without over-drying?
https://www.researchgate.net/post/How_long_does_it_take_to_completely_dry_magnetic_beads_in_dna_extraction_protocol
Hi Lustrik,
Do you have access to a vacuum centrifuge/concentrator? I've had issues with long evaporation times myself due to humidity in the summer. "Borrowing" (using) another lab's vacuum centrifuge eliminated the problem immediately.
Best regards,
Jake
Is it at all feasible to incubate the plates in a 37C oven? You would need to empirically determine how long is not-too-long, though.
If all else fails; mount a hairdryer in a bench top clamp and stand, and use that to provide a warm airflow to the plates. If you remove the nozzle from the end and mount the dryer far enough away from the plate, the air flow cross section should be fairly even across the plate.
We covered the plates with foil and incubated at 37 C in a humid incubator.It might work for alcoholic solutions
- Badges
- Science method