Direct PCR amplification and sequencing of specimens' DNA from preservative ethanol. (March 2010)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shokralla, Shadi; Singer, Gregory A. C.; Hajibabaei, Mehrdad
• Is Part Of: Biotechniques. Volume 48:Number 3(2010)
• Page Start: 305
• Page End: 306
• Publication Date: 2010-03
• Subjects: DNA extraction -- Sample preparation -- Biodiversity -- DNA barcoding -- Museum samples; Biology, Experimental -- Periodicals; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Medical technology -- Periodicals; Biology, Experimental; Medical technology; Molecular biology; Clinical Laboratory Techniques -- Periodicals; Research -- Periodicals; Medical Laboratory Science -- Periodicals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 570
• DOI: 10.2144/000113362
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0736-6205

Abstract

DNA extraction is the first step in many molecular biology protocols. However, we hypothesized that DNA from a preserved specimen can leak into its preservative medium, allowing the medium itself to be directly PCR amplified. We successfully tested this idea on mescal—the alcoholic beverage famous for the "worm" (a caterpillar) that is placed in the bottle of many brands—and indeed obtained amplifiable quantities of caterpillar DNA. We then successfully amplified and sequenced DNA from the 95% ethanol preservative of 70 freshly collected specimens and 7 archival specimens 7–10 years old. These results suggest that DNA extraction is a superfluous step in many protocols and that preservative ethanol can be used as a source of genetic material for non-invasive sampling or when no tissue specimen is left for further DNA analyses.