An Effective and Rapid Method for DNA Extraction from Human Blood Samples

Abstract

This book chapter describes an effective method for extracting DNA from 500 microliters of human blood.  Whole blood samples, one of the primary sources of DNA, can be extracted nucleic acids according to several different protocols, including manual and automated extraction protocols. Methods such as these have one or more limitations, such as low yields, quality issues, costs, and time effectiveness, and their use of toxic organic solvents as well. An extraction procedure was standardized using fresh human blood samples that contained 500 microliters. The DNA extraction process was performed on fresh blood after 1 hour after collection. In Lysis Buffers R (RBC) and N (Nucleic Acid), detergents and salts break down cells and lyse them, allowing proteins and other contaminants to be removed and DNA to be recovered. The DNA samples were investigated for quality and quantity by measuring their absorbance at 260 and 280 nm, respectively (A260/A280). In order to determine the DNA quality, 0.8% Agarose gels were used for gel docking. According to this protocol, it yielded 19 to 25 µg DNA, respectively, from 500 µL of fresh blood. This approach also produces significant volumes of DNA without using harmful organic solvents like phenol.  As a result, downstream applications can be done with the DNA because its quality has not been affected.