An improved rapid method for DNA recovery from cotton swabs. (May 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gray, Alexander; Kuffel, Agnieszka; Daeid, Niamh Nic
• Is Part Of: Forensic science international. Volume 64(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-05
• Subjects: DNA recovery -- Extraction -- Cotton swabs -- Direct PCR; Forensic genetics -- Periodicals; Génétique légale -- Périodiques; Forensic genetics; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 614.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2023.102848
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1872-4973

Abstract

Abstract: We present a novel rapid method for the recovery of cellular and free DNA from cotton swabs based on a simple elution buffer containing a high molecular weight polymer and detergent combined with a short proteinase K digestion to release cellular DNA. This method shows increased yields approaching 80% recovery of the input DNA compared to the QIAamp DNA Mini kit standard extraction protocol for swabs which has a recovery of 20–30%. The buffer components in the described method are compatible with direct PCR analysis of the isolated DNA without further purification. Recovery efficiencies were estimated by qPCR. Highlights: Increased DNA recovery of 60–80% compared to current 20–40% recovery. Cost is a fraction of current methods.