DNA Sample Preparation

The number of samples that labs must process and analyze continues to increase due in part to legislation and the success of DNA-typing techniques. This often contributes to sample backlogs. Automating the upfront and time-consuming sample-processing steps allows analysts to spend time on the more exacting tasks associated with DNA analysis. In recent years, a variety of instruments have been developed to perform the upfront processing of database and casework samples.

Promega Products for Sample Preparation

The Automated Differex™ System
The Automated Differex™ System is the first system that allows full automation of differential extraction from sexual assault samples. Up to 40 samples can be processed, from incubation to final eluted DNA, in less than 5 hours when integrated with the world-renown DNA IQ™ System.

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The DNA IQ™ System
The DNA IQ™ System is a DNA isolation and quantitation system designed specifically for the forensic and paternity community. This system employs paramagnetic particles to prepare clean DNA samples for STR analysis easily and efficiently. The DNA IQ™ System can be used to extract DNA from stains or liquid samples such as blood or resulting DNA solutions. The unique DNA IQ™ Resin eliminates PCR inhibitors and contaminants frequently encountered in casework samples. When working with larger samples found in paternity and databasing, the DNA IQ™ System automatically delivers a consistent amount of total DNA. Buccal swabs, stains on FTA® paper and liquid blood have been processed with the system.

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The DNA IQ™ Reference Sample Kit for Maxwell® 16
The DNA IQ™ Reference Sample Kit for Maxwell® 16 is designed specifically for the optimal extraction of DNA from buccal swabs, FTA® blood card punches, liquid blood or other high-concentration DNA reference samples. These samples are typically encountered in forensic, database and paternity testing. The kit contains the trusted DNA IQ™ System reagents in a convenient prepackaged format and is optimized to yield a final DNA concentration that minimizes the need for concentration or dilution prior to amplification. Liquefied samples are placed directly in the cartridges, and genomic DNA ready for amplification is obtained in approximately 17 minutes.

The Maxwell® 16 Instrument allows efficient, automated DNA purification from a wide range of sample types. The instrument is preprogrammed with purification protocols, which combined with prefilled reagent cartridges, maximize simplicity and convenience. The instrument processes up to 16 samples in approximately 20 minutes, depending on sample type. The purified DNA is of high quality with high yield and at a high concentration, suitable for direct use in a variety of downstream applications. The Maxwell® 16 Instrument, a magnetic-particle-handling device, purifies DNA using paramagnetic particles, allowing optimal capture, washing and elution of the target material.

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The DNA IQ™ Casework Sample Kit for Maxwell® 16
The DNA IQ™ Casework Sample Kit for Maxwell® 16 is designed specifically for the optimal extraction of DNA from forensic casework samples. These samples may include blood stains, semen stains, hairs, cigarette butts, tissue samples, and trace or "touch" DNA samples regularly encountered in forensic DNA analysis. The kit contains the trusted DNA IQ™ System reagents in a convenient, prefilled cartridge format and is optimized to provide a final DNA extract in a concentrated format.

The DNA IQ™ Casework Sample Kit for Maxwell® 16 uses plastic cartridges and plungers that allow DNA elution in a final volume of no more than 50µl. DNA IQ™ Lysis Buffer, Resin and Wash Buffer are included in the prefilled cartridge, and DNA IQ™ Elution Buffer is included in the kit to ensure proper DNA storage. The DNA IQ™ Casework Sample Kit is compatible with the Maxwell® 16 LEV Instrument, which includes the hardware necessary to use this kit. For customers who have previously purchased a Maxwell® 16 Instrument, the Maxwell® 16 LEV Hardware Kit (Cat.# AS1250) is available to make the instrument compatible with this kit.

Learn more about the DNA IQ™ Casework Sample Kit for Maxwell® 16

Slicprep™ 96 Device
The Slicprep™ 96 Device makes it possible to process up to 96 DNA samples at one time from a solid support (e.g., buccal swabs and FTA® blood card punches) by allowing simultaneous centrifugation of 96 samples to separate the lysate from the support material. Previously the only way to accomplish this was with 96 individual spin baskets in 1.5ml microcentrifuge tubes. This was very time-consuming and presented a bottleneck in automated DNA extraction from buccal swabs and blood card punches. With the Slicprep™ 96 Device, 96 samples are processed simultaneously, with the final lysate (free of the solid support) in a 2.2ml square-well deep-well plate, which then can be placed on the deck of a robotic platform for DNA purification using the DNA IQ™ System.

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Promega-Supported Instrument Platforms for DNA Preparation

Promega has collaborated with several instrument suppliers to develop methods for automated sample processing on a variety of workstations, including:

These workstations are all compatible with Promega reagents, including the DNA IQ™ System. Available methods for these instruments automate pipetting, magnetic separation, heating and shaking/mixing steps of the DNA IQ™ System protocols, improving performance and productivity. Discover more about each instrument platform by clicking on the link for each. For more information about Promega sample preparation chemistries on Biomek® instruments, visit the Beckman Coulter web site.

NonPromega-Supported Instrument Platforms for DNA Preparation

Customers and other instrument suppliers have developed their own methods for the DNA IQ™ System on other instruments. Though these methods have not been validated by Promega scientists they might be of interest to those interested in automation.

  • PerkinElmer JANUS® Automated Workstation
    PerkinElmer has developed a method to extract DNA from forensic samples using the JANUS® Automated Workstation. This method is installed and fully supported by PerkinElmer. For more details, see JANUS® Forensic Workstation (PDF: 253KB) and the PerkinElmer web site
  • Beckman Coulter Biomek® FX Laboratory Automation Workstation
    The Beckman Coulter Biomek® FX has been used by at least one laboratory to automate DNA extractions using the DNA IQ™ System.