PaleoDNA-DNA Extraction Services, DNA Analysis

DNA Extraction Under Ultra-Clean Conditions

MicroAnalytica has the world's first facility dedicated to the commercial extraction of paleoDNA for the research community. Commercial samples are the sole priority of the facility and are given the undivided attention of professional technicians. No students or interns are used in the extractions. Samples are started immediately upon receipt.

Extraction services are presently limited to mammalian bone. However, we plan to swiftly expand into other material types as research demand requires. Two extraction services are available.

Note: All samples must be discussed prior to submittal. Please call (1) 305-479-1259 or email dhood@paleoDNA.com

DNA extraction in the MicroAnalytica isolation facility.

1. SUPPORT EXTRACTION SERVICE: Extraction of paleoDNA for researchers who have their own PCR and sequencing resources or other collaborations.

This service is especially useful to existing paleoDNA labs and to researchers with on-going paleoDNA research. This service provides both for INDEPENDENT VERIFICATION AND INCREASED THROUGHPUT.

2. RESEARCH EXTRACTION SERVICE: Extraction services associated with paleoDNA research solutions. Extraction is provided in association with complete research solutions.

Samples are first taken into a negative pressure air-lock facility that also serves as the only entrance to the extraction laboratory. This facility is constantly being exhausted, creating negative pressure at the DNA lab doorway. This ensures DNA containing air does not enter the extraction lab.

Once in the air-lock facility, the technician then dresses in a self-containing clean-room suit to eliminate operator contamination.

Samples are opened and examined in a glass exhaust chamber that is sterilized in between each sample. The exhaust system removes dust and contaminating DNA associated with previous sample handling, wrapping, and matrix material.

Sub-samples are then taken for the analysis and individually placed into sealable sterile tubes that serve as contamination free micro-environments for the samples.

The surfaces of the sample tubes are sterilized with bleach, the operator is sponged with a bleach solution, and the sub-samples are then taken into a clean room facility with isolating environmental controls. The clean room is germicidally irradiated and has its own air conditioning system. The clean room serves as a "buffer-zone" with highly controlled environmental conditions that minimize the presence of any DNA in the air or physical surfaces.

Since there has been movement in-and-out of the clean room, a final precaution is followed while handling the actual sample. Sample containers are only opened inside an ULPA filtered (ultra-HEPA), ultra-high intensity irradiated positive pressure air chamber. This ensures the absence of air-born DNA contamination while a sample container is opened. Only one sample is ever opened at one time.

Prior to adding any chemicals (or even water) to a sample, batches of solutions are verified for DNA purity.