whycare@athena.mit.edu (nemo) (06/30/90)
Having received several e-mail responses to my last posting on DNA Purification, I came up with some more questions of interest: 1) Why does protein and not DNA partition out into the phenol/chloroform/(isoamyl alcohol) phase in the organic solvent extraction? 2) What phases would I see in a test tube if I took a DNA/some unwanted protein sample suspended in 70% ethanol high salt concentration, added an equal volume of phenol/chloroform/isoamyl alcohol (24:24:1), mixed and then centrifuged the entire mixture? Here's my guess: TOP OF TUBE organic phase (phenol/chloroform/alcohol) white interface (protein) aqueous phase (water) DNA pellet BOTTOM OF TUBE Then to get the purified DNA, I'd remove the organic phase and white interface and vacuum-dry the pellet. Is the above procedure orthodox? If not, what is orthodox? What would I really see if I'm wrong about my guess? ************************************************************************ ********** Send e-mail to: whycare@athena.mit.edu ************************************************************************ ********** Send USnail mail to:| Ruth C. Wang | Life is too long. If I had the courage to end it, I would. Senior House | Too bad I'm a coward. Nichols 105 | 4 Ames Street | Cambridge, MA 02139 | ************************************************************************ **********