Patent Publication Number: US-2003228600-A1

Title: DNA isolation method and kit

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
     [0001] This application is a Continuation-In-Part of Ser. No. 09/906,898, filed Jul. 16, 2001, which claimed the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/218,328, filed Jul. 14, 2000, entitled “PERFECT gDNA ISOLATION KIT AND PERFECT gDNA ISOLATION AND PURIFICATION METHOD,” both of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] The invention relates to the isolation of nucleic acid from cellular sources, and more particularly the isolation of high molecular weight genomic DNA from biological fluids and the isolation of bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) from transformed bacterial cultures.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003] Isolated nucleic acid, and in particular, isolated high molecular weight DNA, has a variety of uses in molecular biology, biotechnology and clinical research. For example, isolated DNA is useful in a number of molecular biology techniques, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR), DNA hybridization, restriction enzyme digestion, DNA sequencing, and array-based experiments. With regard to biotechnology, isolated DNA is useful in the development of genetically engineered recombinant proteins and in identifying potential new therapeutic targets. In the clinical setting, isolated DNA is useful in the identification of genetic disorders and in the diagnosis of bacterial and/or viral infections. As such, there is a need for simple and reliable methods for isolating DNA, and in particular, for isolating high quality, high molecular weight DNA.  
       [0004] The most commonly used method for isolating DNA from a DNA source, e.g., blood, saliva, bacterial cultures, etc., involves lysing the DNA source with a combination of a proteolytic enzyme and a detergent followed by extracting the mixture with an organic solvent, e.g., phenol and chloroform, so that the DNA enters the aqueous phase and the hydrolyzed products enter the organic phase. The DNA in the aqueous phase is then precipitated by the addition of alcohol. However, these organic extraction methods are laborious and time consuming and require the use of phenol (or other organic solvents), which are typically toxic and, therefore, a safety hazard.  
       [0005] In another approach, the DNA is isolated by lysing the DNA source in a chaotropic substance, for example guanidinium salt, urea and sodium iodide, in the presence of a DNA binding solid phase. The released DNA is bound to the solid phase in a one step reaction, where the beads are washed to remove any residual contaminants. Although these methods have proven to be less time consuming and toxic, they have resulted in a moderate level of DNA shearing and some level of contamination.  
       [0006] In a further approach, the DNA is isolated from a starting source by mixing the starting source with a cationic detergent, which forms a hydrophobic complex between the DNA and detergent. The hydrophobic complex is separated from the solubilized contaminants and the DNA recovered by addition of salt. As above, this approach has proven to be much less time consuming, but does result in some level of DNA shearing and contamination. Against this backdrop the present invention has been developed.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007] The present invention provides novel methods and kits for the isolation of nucleic acid from a nucleic acid containing starting material. One method of the present invention includes mixing the starting material with a lysing and denaturing composition for release of the nucleic acid from the starting material; separating the mixture into a first portion and a second portion, where the first portion has a greater amount of the nucleic acid than the second portion; adding an alcohol and detergent composition to the first portion to precipitate the nucleic acid onto a trapping membrane; and re-suspending the isolated nucleic acid off of the trapping membrane in a re-suspension buffer.  
       [0008] The present invention also provides novel oleophobic coated materials, e.g., fibers, beads, etc, incorporated in trapping membranes for use in the isolation of gDNA, BACs and other nucleic acid molecules. In some embodiments, the oleophobic coated material is an oleophobic coated glass fiber or bead.  
       [0009] These and various other features as well as advantages that characterize the invention will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description and a review of the associated figures.  
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0010]FIG. 1 illustrates gDNA isolated from human blood in accordance with a method of the present invention. Lanes 1 and 18 are λ Hind III Marker, lanes 2-9 are gDNA isolated using methods of the present invention and lanes 10-17 are gDNA isolated using a Qiagen kit.  
     [0011]FIG. 2 illustrates gDNA isolated from 10 (lanes 1-3) to 200 μl (lanes 13-15) blood in accordance with a method of the present invention. Lane 16 has λ Hind III Marker, and lanes 4-12 show increasing amounts of blood from which the gDNA was isolated.  
     [0012]FIG. 3 illustrates gDNA isolated from chicken blood in accordance with a method of the present invention. Lane 1 shows λ Hind III Marker, lanes 2-5 show gDNA isolated from 5 μl chicken blood and lanes 6-8 show gDNA isolated from 10 μl chicken blood.  
     [0013]FIG. 4 illustrates gDNA isolated from rat blood in accordance with a method of the present invention. Lane 1 shows λ Hind III Marker, lanes 2-5 show gDNA isolated from 5 μl rat blood and lanes 6-8 show gDNA isolated from 10 μl rat blood.  
     [0014]FIG. 5 illustrates gDNA isolated from fresh bovine blood in accordance with a method of the present invention. Lane 1 shows λ Hind III Marker, lanes 2-5 show gDNA isolated from 5 μl bovine blood and lanes 6-8 show gDNA isolated from 10 μl bovine blood.  
     [0015]FIG. 6 illustrates gDNA isolated from frozen bovine blood in accordance with a method of the present invention. Lane 1 shows λ Hind III Marker, lanes 2-4 show gDNA isolated from 10 μl frozen bovine blood, lanes 5-7 shown gDNA isolated from 25 μl frozen bovine blood, and lanes 8-10 show gDNA isolated from 50 td frozen bovine blood.  
     [0016]FIG. 7 illustrates 2 kb PCR reaction products from PCR experiments using gDNA isolated in accordance with a method of the present invention. Lane 1 shows λ Hind III Marker; lane 2 shows PCR reaction products from gDNA isolated from a fresh blood sample using the methods of the present invention; lane 3 shows PCR reaction products from gDNA isolated from fresh blood sample using Qiagen kit; lane 4 shows PCR reaction products from gDNA isolated from 5.5 month old blood using the methods of the present invention; lane 5 shows PCR reaction products from gDNA isolated from 5.5 month old blood using Qiagen kit; lane 6 shows PCR reaction products from gDNA isolated from a freshly frozen blood sample using the methods of the present invention; lane 7 shows PCR reaction products from gDNA isolated from a freshly frozen blood sample using the Qiagen kit; lane 8 shows PCR reaction products from gDNA isolated from a 1 month old frozen blood sample using the methods of the present invention; lane 9 shows PCR reaction products from gDNA isolated from a one month old frozen blood sample using the Qiagen kit; lane 10 shows PCR reaction products from gDNA isolated from a citrate preserved blood sample using the methods of the present invention; lane 11 shows PCR reaction products from gDNA isolated from a citrate preserved blood sample using the Qiagen kit; lane 12 shows PCR reaction products from gDNA isolated from a heparin preserved blood sample using the methods of the present invention; and lane 13 shows PCR reaction products from gDNA isolated from a heparin preserved blood sample using the Qiagen kit. Lanes 14-17 are control lanes.  
     [0017]FIG. 8 illustrates restriction digest products from restriction digest experiments using gDNA isolated in accordance with a method of the present invention. Lane 1 shows λ Hind III Marker, lanes 2-10 shows restriction digest products on gDNA isolated using a Qiagen kit and lanes 11-19 shows restriction digest products on gDNA isolated using methods of the present invention.  
     [0018]FIG. 9 illustrates a large number of isolated BACs from a multi-well plate and using the methods of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     [0019] Definitions:  
     [0020] The followings definitions are provided to facilitate understanding of certain terms used frequently herein and are not meant to limit the scope of the present disclosure.  
     [0021] The term “about” refers to a deviation in the recited value of 5% or less.  
     [0022] The term “A 260/280 ” refers to a commonly used nucleic acid quantitation technique where the sample to be tested is measured for absorption at approximately 260 nm and 280 nm. The ratio of absorbance at 260 to 280 is used as an indicator of nucleic acid purity. Protein contaminants tend to lower the ratio below about a ratio of 1.6 and RNA contaminants tend to raise the ratio to above 1.9.  
     [0023] The term “A 212 ” refers to a single absorbance reading (212 nm) used to aid in the detection of protein contamination in a nucleic acid containing sample. For example, a sample having a high A 212  reading likely has some level of protein contamination in the sample, which when combined with the A 260/280  ratio and gel agarose analysis is indicative of the samples quality. Note that an absorbance readings at 230 nm on a sample can also be used to detect protein contamination. Readings in some instances were made at 320 nm and 405 nm for the detection of larger contaminants, for example glass particles in the final nucleic acid preparation.  
     [0024] The term “isolating” refers to a process for separating a nucleic acid from at least one contaminant with which it is normally associated. In preferred embodiments, isolating refers to separating a nucleic acid from at least 50% of the contaminants with which it is normally associated, and more preferably from at least 75% of the contaminants with which it is normally associated.  
     [0025] The term “high molecular weight DNA” refers to DNA having an average molecular weight of at least 20 kb, and more preferably at least 23 kb.  
     [0026] The term “membrane” or “trapping membrane” refers to a microporous structure having a pore diameter from 0.2 μM to 5 μM, and more preferably from 0.45 μM to 1.2 μM, that acts as a platform or surface to trap precipitated nucleic acids and/or to facilitate the precipitation of nucleic acids onto the membrane, while not preferentially absorbing potentially contaminating proteins or other biologic agents, exemplary membranes for use with the present invention include, glass fiber, glass fiber treated with oleophobic coatings, silica particles or beads, silica particles or beads coated with oleophobic coatings, nylon, and other oleophobic materials, as well as materials having like properties. Note that the term membrane is envisioned to include any number of structures that can act as a surface to trap precipitated nucleic acid—for example, filters, porous matrix, and the like.  
     [0027] The term “nucleic acid” refers to a linear sequence of nucleotides. The nucleotides are either a linear sequence of polyribonucleotides or polydeoxyribonucleotides, or a mixture of both. Examples of nucleic acid in the context of the present invention include—single and double stranded DNA, single and double stranded RNA, and hybrid molecules that have mixtures of single and double stranded DNA and RNA. Further, the nucleic acids of the present invention may have one or more modified nucleotides.  
     [0028] The term “PCR” or “polymerase chain reaction” refers to the process to amplify nucleic acids as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,683,105 and 4,683,202, both owned by Roche Molecular.  
     [0029] The term “rapid” and “rapidly” in reference to the release of the nucleic acid, including BAC, from the trapping membrane refers to a period of less than one hour, and more preferably less than 30 minutes, and most preferably less than 10 minutes.  
     [0030] The term “spin device” refers to a housing that incorporates a trapping membrane of the present invention. The housing fits within a microcentrifuge tube and facilitates the insertion and removal of the trapping membrane from the microcentrifuge tube. In preferred embodiments, the spin device is an extended tube, where a first end of the tube is covered by a trapping membrane of the present invention, and the second end is open to receive samples/fluids useful to the present invention. The first end of the spin device tube is positioned toward the bottom of the microcentrifuge tube and the second end of the spin device tube is positioned toward the top of the microcentrifuge tube. Such devices are well known and readily available to the skilled artisan  
     [0031] The term “starting material” refers to any material containing nucleic acid, for example, cell lysates, bacterial cultures, human blood, chicken blood, rodent blood, buffy coat, saliva, urine, etc.  
     [0032] The present invention provides novel methods and kits for the isolation of nucleic acid from a nucleic acid containing starting material. In one preferred aspect, the invention provides methods and kits for the isolation of high molecular weight DNA, typically genomic DNA, from a biologic starting material, e.g., blood, saliva, buffy coat, urine, as well as from cell cultures and the like. Preferably, the invention provides methods and kits for the isolation of DNA where at least 60%, and more preferably at least 70%, and most preferably at least 80%, of the DNA has a molecular weight greater than 20 kb. In another preferred aspect, the invention provides methods and kits for the isolation of intact plasmids, cosmids, and bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) from transformed cell cultures, and more preferably provides methods and kits for the isolation of intact BACs from bacterial cultures.  
     [0033] The methods and kits of the present invention are both convenient, i.e., avoid the use of toxic and corrosive solvents, and rapid, i.e., typically isolate nucleic acids in less than 30 minutes. The majority of the isolated nucleic acid is in undamaged condition and has a high degree of purity. The method allows for the direct use of the nucleic acid as a reagent in molecular biological reactions, for example in PCR.  
     [0034] It should be understood that although the present invention is preferably used for the isolation of high molecular weight DNA, for example gDNA or BACs, it may also be used in the context of isolating other nucleic acids, for example, RNA, smaller molecular weight DNA, and the like.  
     [0035] High Molecular Weight Nucleic Acid Isolation Method:  
     [0036] Method:  
     [0037] One embodiment of the present invention is a method for isolating high molecular weight DNA from a DNA containing starting material. The method can be performed on a single sample, i.e., within a microcentrifuge tube, or on a multitude of samples in a multi-well plate, e.g., 96 or 384 well plate, at the same or substantially the same time. The method includes mixing the starting material with a lysing and denaturing composition to release the DNA. The mixture is preferably vortexed for at least 5 seconds and allowed to incubate at from 60 to 75° C. for 1 to 10 minutes. The sample should be vortexed periodically. In preferred embodiments, the mixture is incubated in a Thermomixer™ (Eppendorf) at approximately 900 rpm and 70° C. for 10 minutes.  
     [0038] In preferred embodiments, the mixture is separated into a first portion and a second portion, where the first portion has the majority of the nucleic acid and the second portion contains the cell debris. Typically the separation is accomplished by centrifuging the sample from 1 to 5 minutes at from 12,000 to 16,000×g for a sample within a tube and from 1 to 30 minutes at from 500 to 2500×g for a sample within a well of a plate, followed by removing the supernatant to a fresh tube or corresponding well in a plate. Note, however, that in some cases the mixture does not require the separation of the cell debris from the nucleic acid, in which case the separation step is not required.  
     [0039] An alcohol and detergent composition is added to the first portion, or in cases where the mixture was not separated into two portions, to the mixture. The combination is vortexed for at least 5 seconds and transferred to a tube, or a well of a multi-well plate, containing a trapping membrane of the present invention. In preferred embodiments, the trapping membrane is incorporated into a housing that fits within a microcentrifuge tube and facilitates the insertion and removal of the trapping membrane from the microcentrifuge tube. This device is referred to as a spin device. The combination is allowed to incubate from zero to 2 minutes and preferably from 1 to 2 minutes. The precipitated nucleic acids are now trapped on the surface of the membrane.  
     [0040] Trapping of the nucleic acid on the membrane requires that the precipitated nucleic acid fully contact the membrane, as such, the precipitated nucleic acid may be centrifuged, or filtered (gravity or vacuum), i.e., pulled over, the membrane to enhance this contact. In preferred embodiments, the sample/trapping membrane is centrifuged together for 1 to 10 minutes at from 12,000 to 16,000×g in tubes, and at 500 to 2500×g in multi-well plates. Trapping the nucleic acid on the membrane, as opposed to pelleting the precipitated nucleic acid in the bottom of a tube or well, allows for superior separation of the nucleic acid from the cell derived contaminants. Precipitating the nucleic acid on the membrane allows the trapped nucleic acid to be washed on a platform via centrifugation or filtration, and allows the method to be further incorporated into high throughput applications, as discussed further below.  
     [0041] Depending on the anticipated application of the nucleic acid, the trapped nucleic acid may be washed one or more times with a wash buffer to remove contaminants associated with the nucleic acids or the trapping membrane. Typical wash buffer volumes are from 100 μl to 600 μl. Wash buffer may be separated from the membrane by filtering or centrifugation as discussed above. It should be noted that the membrane may be dried before proceeding to the next step to facilitate re-suspension of the nucleic acid.  
     [0042] The trapped nucleic acid is released from the trapping membrane by re-suspending the precipitated nucleic acid in an appropriate volume of re-suspension buffer and incubating at from about 50 to 70° C. for from about 3 to 5 minutes. The nucleic acid is now soluble and may be separated away from the trapping membrane with a brief centrifugation step (12,000 to 16,000×g for a tube or 500 to 2500×g for a plate, from about 1 to 3 minutes, and preferably for about 1 minute), or by filtration step, where the trapping membranes are incubated in the re-suspension buffer for 1 to 3 minutes before applying a vacuum to the membranes. Samples are collected in appropriate containers—tubes or wells of a plate. The release of the nucleic acid from the trapping membrane, using the methods of the present invention, is rapid and more effective than other re-suspension techniques on precipitated nucleic acid. For example, it is known that some level of irreversible binding occurs between gDNA and BACs to glass fiber membranes, resulting in loss of yield and slow re-suspension times (hours to days). In the present invention, the trapped nucleic acid, even large fragments of nucleic acid, are re-suspended and released from the membrane in 45 minutes, preferably in 30 minutes and most preferably in 10 minutes or less.  
     [0043] Note that the yield of nucleic acid may vary dependent on the starting material, and conditions under which the above methods are performed, however, it may be expected that from 3 to 12 μg nucleic acid per 200 μl sample of blood may be obtained.  
     [0044] Isolated nucleic acid may be analyzed by any well known means within the art, including taking A 260 /A 280  ratios, separating the nucleic acid via gel electrophoresis, etc. In addition, the isolated nucleic acid from the present invention is suitable for use in any number of molecular biology reactions, including PCR, DNA ligation, etc. Reactions may be performed directly on the re-suspended nucleic acid sample where the sample is re-suspended at an appropriate concentration or may be re-precipitated and re-suspended in a more appropriate solution and/or concentration.  
     [0045] In preferred embodiments of the present invention the nucleic acid is genomic DNA, and in more preferred embodiments of the present invention the isolated nucleic acid is genomic DNA having at least 60%, more preferably 70%, and most preferably 80%, of the isolated gDNA at least 20 kb in molecular weight. In a most preferred embodiment of the present invention the isolated nucleic acid is genomic DNA having at least 60%, and more preferably 70%, of the isolated gDNA from 30 to 75 kb in molecular weight.  
     [0046] As previously noted, the above methods may be performed substantially simultaneously on two or more starting materials in a multi-well plate. In preferred embodiments, the methods of the present invention are further automated to allow the processing of numerous starting samples substantially simultaneously. Preferably, this is accomplished by precipitating the nucleic acids onto a nylon membrane located in the wells of a multi-well filter plate. Wash buffer is applied to each well, having the trapped nucleic acid, and a vacuum source activated to pull the wash buffer through the nylon membrane. The isolated nucleic acid is released from the membrane by incubating it with a re-suspension buffer and allowing the now soluble nucleic acid to be pulled into a new multi-well plate. The release and re-suspension of the nucleic acid is rapid compared to other known nucleic acid isolation methods and allows for the isolated nucleic acid to be immediately used in PCR reactions, sequencing reactions, restriction endonuclease reactions, and the like. In fact, the isolated nucleic acid may be released and re-suspended in any of a number of molecular biology compatible buffers, for example a buffer for direct use in a PCR reaction. These embodiments may be performed using plates having multiple sample containers, for example a 96 well plate or a 384 well plate, where the trapping membrane is placed at the bottom of each well, and the above described steps are performed substantially simultaneously within each well of the plate or plates.  
     [0047] Components:  
     [0048] Starting Material:  
     [0049] Starting materials have a target nucleic acid for isolation, for example blood, buffy coat, saliva, cell cultures, etc., where the most preferred starting material for use with the present invention is blood. In preferred embodiments, the starting material is a liquid from about 1 to 200 μl, and preferably from about 50 to 200 μl.  
     [0050] Lysing and Denaturing Composition:  
     [0051] The lysing and denaturing substance of the invention causes the release of the nucleic acids from the intact cells of the starting material. Typically, the lysing and denaturing composition includes a buffering agent, a salt, a detergent and a protease. The combination of ingredients causes the digestion of proteins, inhibition of nucleases, and the solublization of lipids, proteins and the like, and may result, to some extent, in the smaller nucleic acids, i.e., sheared gDNA, RNA, etc., to be precipitated out of solution, the mechanism of which has been previously described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,010,183.  
     [0052] Typically, the lysing and denaturing composition is added to the starting material to achieve a salt concentration in the range of about 2 to 4 M, and preferably in the range of about 2.5 to 3.5 M; a detergent concentration in the range of about 0 to 4%, and preferably in the range of about 1.5 to 2.5%; and a protease concentration in the range of about 50 to 1000 μg/ml, and preferably in the range of about 100 to 700 μg/ml. The buffering agent, typically Tris-Cl, is included at a concentration of about 10 mM, so as to maintain a pH of the mixture in the range of 7 to 8.5 and preferably in the range of 7.9 to 8.1.  
     [0053] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lysing and denaturing composition includes fine particles, for example polyvinypyrrolildone, having a concentration in the range of about 0 to 5%, and preferably a range of about 3 to 4%.  
     [0054] In preferred embodiments of the lysing and denaturing composition, the salt is NaCl, NaOAc, KOAc, NH 4 Cl, and the like, or mixtures thereof, the detergent is a quaternary amine cationic detergent, for example, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), and the like, and mixtures thereof, and the protease is Proteinase K. It is envisioned that other combinations of lysing and denaturing compositions can be used in the context of the present invention.  
     [0055] Alcohol and Deterzent Composition:  
     [0056] The alcohol and detergent composition of the invention causes the precipitation of the nucleic acid from solution. Typically the alcohol and detergent composition contains an alcohol and a detergent, although in some circumstances the composition may only include an alcohol.  
     [0057] Typically the alcohol and detergent composition is added to the nucleic acid containing solution to achieve an alcohol concentration of from about 60 to 100%, and preferably from about 70 to 95%, and a detergent concentration of from about 0 to 40%, and preferably from about 5 to 30%.  
     [0058] In preferred embodiments of the alcohol and detergent composition, the alcohol is isopropanol, ethanol, and the like, and the detergent is Tween 20 and the like.  
     [0059] Trapping Membrane:  
     [0060] The trapping membrane of the invention serves as a platform for the nucleic acid to be precipitated onto and thereby preferentially isolated from the solution. Membranes include glass fiber, glass fiber treated with hydrophobic and oleophobic coatings, nylon, silica particles, and silica particles treated with oleophobic coatings, and the like. The trapping membrane may be prepared as a spin column or spin device to facilitate the precipitation, washing and re-suspension steps of the present invention, or additionally, may be included within the wells of a trapping membrane plate, preferably a 96 well trapping membrane plate. As discussed above, the term membrane is used in its broadest concept to include any structure that acts as a solid support for trapping nucleic acid using the methods of the present invention.  
     [0061] Wash Buffer:  
     [0062] The wash buffer of the invention serves to gently separate the precipitated nucleic acid trapped on the membrane from associated protein, lipids and cell debris in general. Typically, the wash buffer includes a buffering agent, a salt, EDTA and can contain alcohol. Preferably, the salt is from 400 to 600 mM NaCl or the like, and the buffering agent is approximately 10 mM Tris-Cl. Typically the volume of wash buffer passed over the trapping membrane is sufficient to remove contaminants, but not of a volume to substantially effect the yield of the isolated nucleic acid.  
     [0063] Re-suspension Buffer:  
     [0064] The re-suspension buffer of the invention serves to rapidly re-suspend and solubilize the trapped nucleic acid off of the membrane. Typically, the re-suspension buffer may be water, 10 mM Tris-Cl or 10 mM mM TE, although other solutions may be substituted, as long as a majority of the nucleic acid is soluble in the solution. For example, trapped nucleic acid may be directly released with a PCR compatible buffer so that PCR may be directly performed on the released nucleic acid.  
     [0065] High Molecular Weight Nucleic Acid Isolation Kit  
     [0066] Embodiments of the present invention provide kits for the performance of the above described nucleic acid isolation methods. In one embodiment of the present invention, the kit includes a lysis and denaturing composition, an alcohol and detergent composition, a wash buffer, a re-suspension buffer, and a trapping membrane. In a preferred embodiment, the kit further includes molecular biology grade water and collection tubes. The kits of the present invention may also include any of the following: 384 well plates, 96 well plates, pipet tips, a thermomixer, a water bath, a heat block, blood collecting equipment, i.e., syringes, needles, anticoagulant, protective gloves, etc., and a microcentrifuge.  
     [0067] For maximum stability, the kits contain lyophilized protease, for example Proteinase K. Kits are believed to be stable for at least six months.  
     [0068] BAC Isolation Method:  
     [0069] Method:  
     [0070] Another embodiment of the present invention is a method for isolating BACs from a bacterial culture. The method includes growing a BAC containing culture overnight with shaking at 37° C. in individual wells of a multi-well culture plate (each well having a 2.0-2.4 ml capacity). Bacterial transformation protocols with BACs, formulations for bacterial growth media, and bacterial seeding densities are well known in the art. Note, the following method is illustrated using multiple cultures in multi-well plates, however, as such, it is envisioned that the same method may be performed on one or more bacterial cultures using microcentrifuge tubes, 6 well plates, 24 well plates, 48 well plates, etc. Note also, the following method may be used to isolate other nucleic acids as well as BAC, for example, cosmids, plasmids, RNA and the like, which are all envisioned to be within the scope of the present invention.  
     [0071] Multi-well culture plates are centrifuged at from about 1000 to 2500×g for 2 to 10 minutes, and preferably are centrifuged at approximately 1900×g for 5 minutes. The centrifugation is performed at room temperature in a swinging bucket centrifuge (Eppendorf model 5810 with Deep Well Plate Rotor). Cell supernatant is removed, either by decanting or aspiration, to ensure that the cell pellets remain at the bottom of each well of the multi-well plate. Note that in preferred embodiments, the cell volume should be sufficient to achieve 5 to 20 OD 600  units.  
     [0072] Approximately 150 to 250 μl of a BAC cell re-suspension substance is added to each cell pellet. The pellets are re-suspended by vortexing or other method until the pellets are completely dispersed. Approximately 150 to 250 μl of substance is added to each well. A Plate Seal, or other like device, is placed on the multi-well plate, which is then mixed by inversion from 1 to 10 times, preferably for 5 times, and incubated from 1 to 10 minutes at room temperature, preferably 5 minutes.  
     [0073] Release of the BAC from the bacterial cultures continues by removing the Plate Seal and adding approximately 150 to 250 μl of potassium acetate solution, preferably cold (4° C.), to each culture in the multi-well plate. The Plate Seal is replaced, and the plate is mixed by inversion from 5 to 15 times, preferably 10 times, or by other mixing means.  
     [0074] A multi-well filter plate (Eppendorf-5 Prime) is placed directly over a second multi-deep-well culture plate. Each well of the multi-well filter plate includes a filter for separating out the bacterial cell debris, while allowing the soluble BACs to pass through.  
     [0075] Contents from each well of the first multi-well culture plate are transferred to the corresponding well of the multi-well filter plate. In preferred embodiments, a vacuum manifold is used to pull the samples through the multi-well filter plate and into the corresponding deep wells of a second 96 well culture plate or directly into a 96 well trapping plate (see below).  
     [0076] Approximately from 150 to 250 μl of an alcohol and detergent substance is added to the filtered contents from above. If the contents are still within a multi-well culture plate they are transferred to the corresponding well of the multi-well trapping plate and the mixture is allowed to incubate from 1 to 10 minutes, and preferably 5 minutes, at room temperature. This precipitates the BACs in each solution.  
     [0077] A multi-well trapping plate is prepared having a trapping membrane of the present invention inserted into each well. The trapping membrane acts as a platform to trap the precipitated BACs and allow for removal of the BAC associated contaminants (as above for gDNA method). In preferred embodiments, a second membrane of the invention may be placed adjacent to and under the trapping membrane to facilitate the flow properties of the trapping membrane as well as to lend support under the trapping membrane.  
     [0078] Preferred embodiments include a vacuum manifold to facilitate the precipitation of the BACs onto the trapping membrane of the multi-well trapping plate, while the supernatant is passed into corresponding wells of a third multi-well plate to be discarded.  
     [0079] In preferred embodiments, approximately 800 to 2400 μl of wash buffer, and preferably from 1200 to 2000 μl of wash buffer, is added to each well of the multi-well trapping plate to ensure that BAC associated contaminants are removed from the trapping membrane. The wash step may be repeated one or more times, preferably 2 times.  
     [0080] In a preferred embodiment, a vacuum is maintained, for approximately 15 to 20 minutes, on the trapping plate to remove any residual wash solution from the wells. The multi-well trapping plate may be removed from the vacuum manifold and the bottom surface of the plate blotted on a paper towel to ensure that no residual fluids remain associated with the samples.  
     [0081] The multi-well trapping plate is placed over a multi-well collection plate (Eppendorf-5 Prime). Approximately from 50 to 100 μl of a re-suspension buffer is added to each well of the multi-well trapping plate and allowed to incubate from 1 to 10 minutes at room temperature, and preferably from 3 to 7 minutes at room temperature. The volume of the re-suspension buffer may be modified to allow for a more concentrate or dilute BAC containing solution, dependent on the BACs use. A vacuum is slowly applied to the filter plate over a period of 1 to 15 minutes, and preferably from about 9 to 11 minutes. Alternatively, the plate assembly (trapping plate and collection plate) can be centrifuged from about 500 to 1900×g for 5 to 10 minutes, and preferably are centrifuged for 10 minutes, at room temperature. The collection plate containing the isolated BACs is stored at 4° C. Note, as discussed above, the release of BAC from the membrane is rapid, and allows for the immediate use of the BAC in PCR reactions, DNA sequencing reactions, and the like.  
     [0082] Isolated BAC may be analyzed by any of the well known means within the art, including BAC end sequencing and DNA fingerprint analysis. Reactions may be performed directly on the re-suspended BAC samples or may be re-precipitated and re suspended in a more suitable buffer or at a more suitable concentration.  
     [0083] In preferred embodiments, the methods above are automated to allow for the processing of numerous multi-well sample plates during the course of a day, i.e., high throughput. The automated processing of numerous BAC samples is vacuum driven throughout the course of the isolation method. This allows for the convenient processing of numerous starting samples on a vacuum manifold at substantially the same time. Note that any multi-well plates, for example 96 or 384 well plates, are envisioned to be within the scope of the present methods and are especially useful in the vacuum driven high throughput applications of the invention.  
     [0084] Components:  
     [0085] Starting Material:  
     [0086] Starting materials for the BAC isolation methods include bacterial cultures transformed to include BACs. Typically the bacteria is  E. coli . BAC sizes for use with the present invention range from 30 to 300 kb, and are preferably from 75 kb to 225.  
     [0087] BAC Cell Re-Suspension Composition:  
     [0088] The cell re-suspension substance of the invention participates in the release of the BAC from the bacterial cells and degrades RNA. Typically, the cell re-suspension substance includes a buffering agent, typically Tris-Cl, RNase, for example RNase A, and EDTA.  
     [0089] Typically the RNase composition is added to the bacterial cultures to achieve a RNase concentration of from about 50 to 150 μg/ml, and preferably from about 80 to 120 μg/ml, an EDTA concentration of from about 1 to 20 mM, and preferably from 8 to 12 mM, a buffering agent concentration of from about 40 to 60 mM, and an egg white lysozyme concentration from about 650 to 950 μg/ml.  
     [0090] Lysis Composition:  
     [0091] The lysis composition of the invention also participates in the release of BAC from the bacterial cultures. Typically the lysis substance contains an anionic detergent and a strong base.  
     [0092] Typically the anionic detergent is added to the bacterial cultures to achieve a concentration of from about 0.5 to 1.5%, and preferably from about 0.8 to 1.2%, and a base concentration of from about 0.05 to 0.35 M, and preferably from about 0.15 to 0.25 M.  
     [0093] In preferred embodiments of the lysis substance, the anionic detergent is SDS and the base is NaOH, and the like.  
     [0094] Neutralization Composition:  
     [0095] The neutralization substance participates in the release of BAC from bacterial cultures. The neutralization substance typically contains potassium acetate from about 2.5 to 3.5 M, and a concentration of acetic acid from about 1.5 to 2.5 M.  
     [0096] Alcohol and Detergent Composition:  
     [0097] The alcohol and detergent composition of the invention causes the precipitation of the BACs from solution. Typically the alcohol and detergent composition contains an alcohol and a detergent, although in some circumstances the composition may only include an alcohol.  
     [0098] Typically the alcohol and detergent composition is added to the BAC containing solution at an alcohol concentration of from about 60 to 100%, and preferably from about 70 to 95%, and a detergent concentration of from about 0 to 40%, and preferably from about 5 to 30%.  
     [0099] In preferred embodiments of the alcohol and detergent composition, the alcohol is isopropanol, ethanol, and the like, and the detergent is Tween 20, Tween 80, IGEPAL CA 630, and the like.  
     [0100] Trapping Membrane:  
     [0101] The trapping membrane of the invention serves as a platform for the precipitated BAC to be trapped on and around and thereby preferentially collected from the solution. Preferably membranes include nylon, glass fiber, glass fiber treated with hydrophobic and oleophobic coatings, silica particles, silica particles treated with oleophobic coatings, and the like. As above, the term membrane is not meant to limit the scope of the present invention and includes fibers, filters, porous matrix, etc.  
     [0102] A second membrane of the invention serves to support the trapping membrane and to facilitate the flow of the wash buffer and re-suspension buffer through the trapping membrane when the trapping membrane is positioned within a well of a multi-well plate. Preferable second membranes include melt-blown polypropylene with 25 micron pores (MBPP-25), and the like.  
     [0103] Wash Buffer:  
     [0104] The wash buffer of the invention serves to gently separate the precipitated BAC trapped on the membrane from associated protein, lipids cell debris in general, and detergents. Typically, the wash buffer includes a buffering agent, a salt, an alcohol and EDTA. Preferably, the salt is about 60 mM NaCl or the like, the EDTA about 0.6 mM, the alcohol about 30% and the buffering agent about 6 mM. In concentrated form, the wash buffer is stored as a solution having 150 to 250 mM NaCl, EDTA is from about 1.5 to 2.5 mM, the alcohol is about 70%, and the buffering agent is 15 to 25 mM Tris-Cl. Typically the volume of wash buffer passed over the trapping membrane is sufficient to remove contaminants, but not of a volume to substantially effect the yield of the isolated nucleic acid.  
     [0105] Re-Suspension Buffer:  
     [0106] The re-suspension buffer of the invention serves to re-suspend and solubilize the trapped BAC off of the membrane. Typically the re-suspension buffer may be water or a 10 to 50 mM Tris-Cl solution, and the like, although other solutions may be substituted, as long as a majority of the BAC is soluble in the solution. For example, DNA sequencing buffers may be used to release and re-suspend the BAC, thereby allowing for the immediate sequencing of the BAC.  
     [0107] BAC Isolation Kit  
     [0108] Embodiments of the present invention provide kits for the performance of the above described BAC isolation methods. In one embodiment of the present invention the kit includes a lysis composition, re-suspension composition, neutralization composition, an alcohol and detergent composition, a wash buffer, a re-suspension buffer, and a multi-well trapping plate. In a preferred embodiment the kit further includes a multi-well filter plate, molecular biology grade water and collection tubes. The kits of the present invention may also include any of the following: 96 well plates, pipet tips, a vacuum manifold, and  E. coli  growth media.  
     [0109] Automation of Lysis Method Using Oleophobic Fiber Containing Trapping Membrane  
     [0110] The methods and compositions of the present invention are useful in the isolation of high-yield and high-quality nucleic acid, i.e., BACs and gDNA, from target host cells or starting material during high throughput applications.  
     [0111] The methods of the present invention can be performed on one sample at a time using standard laboratory equipment and personnel. However, due to the highly efficient nature of the trapping membrane, especially where the trapping membrane is an oleophobic coated fiber membrane, and the limited level of complexity of the method steps, it is envisioned that the methods be utilized in a highly automated procedure for isolating target nucleic acid samples from a plurality of discretely handled samples.  
     [0112] In particular, the compositions and methods of the present invention can be used in a multi-well, for example 96 or 384 well, protocol. Target cells or starting materials, for example blood, are grown or placed (approximately 200 μl) in the appropriate number of wells required for the particular procedure. Approximately 20 μl of proteinase K and 350 μl of lysis buffer of the present invention is added to each target sample, and the sample vortexed for approximately five seconds. The multi-well plates are placed at 70° C., for example in a water bath, for about ten minutes (vortexing the plates every two minutes). Approximately 200 μl of an embodiment of the binding buffer of the present invention is added to each well and the samples vortexed for about five seconds. Samples are transferred to corresponding filter plates having trapping membranes of the present invention incorporated therein, for example trapping membrane composed of oleophobic coated glass or acrylic fibers.  
     [0113] Each sample in the multi-well plate is spun through the trapping membrane by spinning the plates at 1500 g for approximately 5 minutes. Note that alternatively, the samples can be pulled over the trapping membrane using a vacuum manifold. Trapped nucleic acid on the trapping membrane can be washed by spinning through or pulling through approximately 600 μl of wash buffer. The wash step can be repeated. Appropriate plates are prepared for receiving the eluted nucleic acid, and elution performed on each sample with 200 μl pre-heated elution buffer (approximately 70° C.). Note that the elution buffer is added to each well of the filter plate and allowed to incubate on the trapping membrane for five minutes before the nucleic acid is eluted from the membrane. Note that the volumes of sample, proteinase K, lysis buffer, binding buffer, wash buffer and elution buffer can be modified to optimize the yield and purity of the high throughput applications.  
     [0114] This process can be automated into a high-throughput procedure using pre-calibrated equipment. Other methods are envisioned for high-throughput operations and are not limited to 96-well or 384-well plates. As such, the methods of the present invention are ideal for the automated preparation of a large number of discrete high quality nucleic acid samples, for example on a large number of blood samples.  
     [0115] Having generally described the invention, the same will be more readily understood by reference to the following examples, which are provided by way of illustration and are not intended as limiting.  
     EXAMPLES  
     Example 1  
     [0116] High Purity and Molecular Weight DNA Result from gDNA Isolation Method  
     [0117] Materials and Methods:  
     [0118] Approximately 200 μl of human blood was treated with 20 μl reconstituted Proteinase K and 350 μl of 3M Ammonium chloride, 2% w/v cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, 4% polyvinypyrrolidone and 10 mM Tris-Cl, pH 8 in a 1.5 ml microfuge tube. Blood samples were obtained and preserved with heparin, sodium citrate and EDTA. The mixture was vortexed on high for approximately 5 seconds and incubated in a Thermomixer at 70° C., 900 rpm, for 10 minutes. The tubes were then removed and centrifuged for 3 minutes at 12,000 to 16,000×g. Tubes were removed and supernatant poured into a fresh microcentrifuge tube.  
     [0119] Approximately 200 μl of alcohol and detergent substance, (70% isopropanol and 30% Tween 20) was added to the supematant and the sample was vortexed for 5 seconds. The sample was added to a microcentrifuge tube containing a trapping membrane of the present invention, where the sample was incubated for approximately 1 minute at room temperature. The sample containing the membrane was centrifuged for 2 minutes at 12,000 to 16,000×g and the flowthrough decanted.  
     [0120] Approximately 600 μl of a wash buffer (60 mM Tris Cl pH 8,3 mM EDTA pH 8,150 mM NaCl and 30% ethanol) was placed over the membrane and centrifuged for 1 minute at 12,000 to 16,000×g. The flowthrough was decanted and approximately 400 μl of wash buffer was placed over the membrane. The membrane and wash buffer was centrifuged for 3 minutes at 12,000 to 16,000×g. The membrane was removed to a new microcentrifuge tube.  
     [0121] Approximately 200 μl re-suspension buffer, (10 mM Tris-Cl, pH 8) was incubated on the membrane for 3 minutes at 70° C. The solution was centrifuged for 1 minute at 12,000 to 16,000×g to elute the gDNA.  
     [0122] Genomic DNA samples were also isolated, for comparison sake, using the Qiagen kit.  
     [0123] Purity and concentration of the isolated gDNA was determined taking a ratio of sample absorbance at 260 nm to 280 nm, noting that a A 260 /A 280  ratio of 1.6 to 1.8 illustrates a highly purified sample of DNA.  
     [0124] Analysis of gDNA integrity was performed by running isolated gDNA on a 0.6 agarose gel (see FIG. 1).  
     [0125] Results and Discussion:  
     [0126] As illustrated in FIG. 1, isolation of gDNA from blood using the methods of the present invention resulted in a vast majority of the gDNA being isolated in molecular weight sizes above 23 kb (lanes 2-9). In fact, the data shows that only approximately 20% of the total density of DNA in the samples are ≦23 kb, indicating that the isolation technique did not generate a high percentage of shearing. Further, the isolated gDNA is of a high purity, having a A 260 /A 280  ratio of 1.6 to 1.8.  
     [0127] In contrast, conventional gDNA isolation techniques typically result in a higher percentage of total DNA being ≦23 kb size range. In a side-by-side comparison, gDNA isolated using the Qiagen kit resulted in approximately 40% of the total density of DNA being ≦23 kb (lanes 10-17).  
     [0128] This data illustrates that the gDNA isolation method provides a powerful tool for isolating high molecular weight gDNA that minimizes the shearing of the DNA, and that the isolated gDNA has a minimal amount of contaminants.  
     Example 2  
     [0129] High Yield Results from gDNA Isolation Method  
     [0130] Materials and Methods:  
     [0131] The materials and methods discussed in Example 1 were used to test the yields of gDNA obtained from varying amounts of sample as well as to test the reproducibility of the method on a number of similarly treated samples.  
     [0132] Results and Discussion:  
     [0133] The data illustrated in Table 1 shows that 200 μl samples of blood may yield between about 3 and 12 μg of gDNA. The data was reproducible, as shown by the corresponding standard deviations, and the purity respectable, 1.6 to 1.8 range.  
     [0134] As shown in FIG. 2, isolated gDNA from a sample as small as 10 μl (lanes 1-3) can be visualized on an ethidium bromide stained agarose gel, as well as samples from 50 μl (lanes 4-6), 100 μl (lanes 7-9), 150 μl (lanes 10-12) and 200 μl (lanes 13-15).  
     [0135] This data illustrates the utility of using the gDNA isolation method for testing very small sample sizes, while maintaining purity and reproducibility.  
               TABLE 1                          Methods and Compositions of the Present Invention Provide       High Yield Recovery From Blood Samples                                 Sample #   Average Yield (μg)   Average OD 260/280                                           Fresh Blood   1   5.11 (±0.39)   1.76 (±0.04)           2   5.45 (±0.41)   1.70 (±0.09)           3   7.13 (±0.87)   1.74 (0.03)           4   6.93 (±0.74)   1.76 (±0.02)       Averages   n/a   6.16   1.74       (n = 8)                  
 
     Example 3  
     [0136] gDNA Isolation Method is Useful on Various Types of Starting Materials  
     [0137] Material and Methods:  
     [0138] The materials and methods discussed in Example 1 were used to analyze the ability of the gDNA isolation method to isolate high molecular weight gDNA from fresh chicken blood, rat blood, and bovine blood, as well as from a frozen sample of bovine blood. Fresh samples were taken from the appropriate animal and blood stored in either heparin or EDTA. The frozen sample was stored at −20° C. and thawed 15 minutes prior to the gDNA isolation method.  
     [0139] Results and Discussion:  
     [0140] Chicken (FIG. 3), rat (FIG. 4), and bovine (FIGS. 5 and 6) blood were tested using the gDNA isolation method for DNA quality, as shown in FIGS.  3 - 6 . As was the case using human blood, gDNA isolated from each of the fresh blood types resulted in a high degree of high molecular weight species, and a minimal amount of smaller and presumably sheared DNA species. In addition, the gDNA isolated from the frozen bovine blood (FIG. 6) was also of predominately high molecular weight, showing little or no difference compared to the fresh samples. In the Figures, lanes 2-5 represent 5 μl sample, and lanes 6-8 represent a 10 μl sample, except in FIG. 6, where lanes 2-4 is 10 μl, lanes 5-7 is 25 μl, and lanes 8-10 is 50 μl.  
     [0141] This data illustrates the utility of the present invention for use on gDNA isolation from a multitude of species, including human (Examples 1 and 2), rat, chicken, and bovine.  
     Example 4  
     [0142] DNA Isolated Using the gDNA Isolation Method is Suitable for PCR  
     [0143] Materials and Methods:  
     [0144] The materials and methods discussed in Example 1 were used to isolate gDNA for subsequent use in PCR applications. Several different starting materials were used as a DNA source, including fresh and frozen blood. An alternative series of PCR reactions were performed on gDNA isolated using the Qiagen kit.  
     [0145] Isolated gDNA samples were prepared for PCR by mixing 50 ng isolated genomic DNA with human β globin primers to amplify 2 kb fragments. PCR products were run on a 1% agarose gel and stained with ethidium bromide, as is well known in the art.  
     [0146] Results and Discussion:  
     [0147] Isolated gDNA from the gDNA isolation method of the present invention provides an excellent template for PCR reactions. As shown in FIG. 7, PCR reactions performed on a number of different gDNA templates resulted in the production of the expected PCR products, i.e., the PCR products were of the expected size and, as indicated by their staining, of high quantity (lanes 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12). In comparison, gDNA isolated using the Qiagen kit consistently yielded lower amounts of PCR product, and in particular, larger inhibition was seen with increased amounts of template, suggesting that the isolated template DNA contained PCR inhibitors (lanes 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13).  
     [0148] Inhibitors of PCR are common in samples recovered from many blood gDNA kits. In particular, hemoglobin is a strong inhibitor of PCR. The data shown in FIG. 7 illustrates that the gDNA isolation methods of the present invention are useful for providing PCR template quality DNA. The isolated DNA would appear to be void or substantially void of PCR inhibitors.  
     Example 5  
     [0149] DNA Isolated Using the gDNA Isolation Method Is Suitable For Restriction Analysis  
     [0150] Materials and Methods:  
     [0151] The materials and methods discussed in Example 1 were used to isolate gDNA for subsequent use in restriction enzyme digests. Approximately 250 ng of purified gDNA was digested in a 20 μl reaction using 2 and 5 units of Sau3A I (New England Biolabs) at 37° C. for one hour. Digest products were run on a 1% agarose gel and stained using ethidium bromide. An alternative series of restriction digests were carried out on gDNA isolated using the Qiagen kit.  
     [0152] Results and Discussion:  
     [0153] Isolated gDNA from the gDNA isolation method of the present invention provides an excellent source of DNA for restriction digests. As shown in FIG. 8, gDNA isolated using the methods of the present invention was fully cut by the Sau3A I restriction enzyme (lanes 11-19).  
     [0154] This data illustrates that the gDNA isolation methods of the present invention are useful in preparing gDNA suitable for use in restriction digests. The isolated gDNA would appear to be void or substantially void of restriction digest inhibitors.  
     Example 6  
     [0155] Potential High Molecular Weight BAC Recovery from BAC Isolation Method  
     [0156] Materials and Methods:  
     [0157] E. coli  cultures were transformed with a variety of different sized BAC constructs (a 112 kb human BAC, a 150 rice BAC, a 162 kb human BAC, and a 222 kb human BAC) as is well known in the art. Each transformed culture (approximately 1.5 mls) was grown overnight with shaking at 37° C. in a 96 well culture plate (Matrix catalog no. 18414). 96 well plates were centrifuged at 1900×g for 5 minutes at room temperature in a swinging bucket centrifuge (Eppendorf model 5810 with Deep Well Plate Rotor) and the culture supernatant was decanted.  
     [0158] Approximately 200 μl of BAC cell re-suspension substance, 50 mM Tris-Cl, pH 7.6, 10 mM EDTA pH 8, 100 μg/ml Pancreatic RNase A, and 800 μg/ml Egg White Lysozyme, was added to each cell pellet and the cells were re-suspended by vortexing until pellets are completely dispersed (Multi Tube Vortexer, VWR catalog no. 58816115). Note that the 96 well plates are covered with a plate seal (Eppendorf-5 Prime Plate Seal).  
     [0159] Approximately 200 μl 200 mM NaOH, 1% SDS was added to each well for lysing the cells. Plates were inverted 5 times and the samples were incubated for 5 minutes at room temperature. Approximately 200 μl cold (4° C.) neutralization buffer (3 M Potassium Acetate, 2 M Acetic Acid, pH 5.2) was added to each well and the plates inverted an additional 10 times.  
     [0160] BAC containing mixtures were passed through a 96 well filter plate having a 10-20 μM glass fiber in each well to facilitate filtration of cell debris from the BAC. A vacuum was applied to each well to help draw the contents through the glass fiber filter. Supernatant was collected in a clean 96 well plate.  
     [0161] Approximately 200 μl of alcohol and detergent substance (5% Tween, 90% isopropanol) was added to each well. A 96 well plate having a GF/F membrane over MBPP (pore size of 20-25 μm) membrane in each well was, prepared and the mixture added to each corresponding well where it is incubated for 5 minutes at room temperature.  
     [0162] A vacuum was applied and the filtrate discarded. A wash of 600 μl 200 mM NaCl, 20 mM Tris-Cl pH 7.2, 2 mM EDTA pH 8 diluted to 30% in ethanol was passed through each well of the 96 well plate by applying a vacuum. The filtrate was discarded and the wash repeated two more times.  
     [0163] Approximately 70 μl of re-suspension buffer (10 mM Tris-Cl at pH 8) was added to each well of the 96 well plate. The plate assembly was incubated for 5 minutes at room temperature and then centrifuged at 500 ×g for 40 minutes at room temperature. Elution is collected in a new 96 well plate, which is promptly covered with a plate seal. Samples contain BAC for analysis.  
     [0164] Isolated BAC were analyzed by running the product on 1% agarose gels and staining with ethidium bromide.  
     [0165] Results and Discussion:  
     [0166] Isolated BAC from the BAC isolation method of the present invention provides highly pure and intact BAC, as is shown in FIG. 9. As such, the data illustrates that the methods of the present invention are useful in preparing BAC from transformed bacterial cultures.  
     [0167] It will be clear that the invention is well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those inherent therein. While a presently preferred embodiment has been described for purposes of this disclosure, various changes and modifications may be made which are well within the scope of the invention. Numerous other changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are encompassed in the spirit of the invention disclosed herein and as defined in the appended claims.  
     Example 7  
     [0168] Oleophobic Coated Glass Fibers are Excellent Trapping Membranes for Isolation of gDNA  
     [0169] Oleophobic coated glass fibers were used as the trapping membrane for isolation of gDNA from blood. Yield and purity of gDNA isolated on the oleophobic coated glass fibers was compared to gDNA isolated on non-coated glass fiber trapping membranes. To illustrate the high throughput nature of the oleophobic coated fibers, the trapping membranes were integrated into 96 well plates and samples run in multiple wells.  
     [0170] Test samples were prepared and nucleic acid isolated on 96-well plates using the following protocol: Approximately 20 μl of blood was placed into each well of a ninety-six well plate. Approximately 20 μl of proteinase K and 350 μl of lysis buffer of the present invention (see Example 1) was added to each sample and the entire plate vortexed for five seconds. Plates were moved to a 70° C. water bath and samples incubated for ten minutes, with vortexing every two minutes. Approximately 200 μl of binding buffer of the present invention (see Example 1) was added to each well and plates vortexed for five seconds. Using a multi-well pipette or pin-head, each sample was transferred to a corresponding well in a filter plate. Note that filter plates were prepared to have either a 0.7 μm glass fiber trapping membrane or a 0.7 μm glass fiber trapping membrane coated with oleophobic material (e.g., Pall Corporation, Versapor R).  
     [0171] Filter plates having loaded samples were spun for approximately 5 minutes at 1500 g on a Eppendorf 5810R model centrifuge. Flow-through was discarded and gDNA loaded trapping membrane washed with approximately 600 μl diluted wash buffer. Plates were spun at 1500 g to pull the wash buffer over the trapping membrane for approximately two minutes. The wash step was repeated once, except that the spin was performed for five minutes. Finally, gDNA samples were eluted from the trapping membrane by incubating 200 μl pre-heated elution buffer (70° C.) on the membrane for five minutes and plates spun for five minutes at 1500 g. Eluted samples were tested for yield and purity using a series of absorbance readings.  
     [0172] Note that an alternative vacuum filtering protocol can be used to bind, wash and elute gDNA samples from filter plates. In that protocol, filter plates were attached to a vacuum manifold and a vacuum pulled for about 15 seconds to about 3 minutes.  
     [0173] Results on gDNA purity are presented in Table 2. Absorbance readings were performed at 212, 230, 260, 280, 320 and 405 nm. Data from 8 independent wells is shown and averaged and the standard deviation determined. Note that for purposes of the data present in Table 2, the A 260/280  reading is commonly used to quantify nucleic acid levels in a sample where the absorbance of the sample is measured at approximately 260 nm and 280 nm, and the ratio of absorbance at 260 to 280 is used as an indicator of nucleic acid purity. Protein contaminants tend to lower the ratio to below 1.6 and RNA contaminants tend to raise the ratio to above 2.0. High purity DNA ideally shows a 260/280 absorbance ratio of from 1.7 to 1.9. In addition, a relative level of protein contamination in a sample can also be determined from taking a absorbance readings at 212 nm and 230 nm. Finally, absorbance readings at 320 nm and 405 nm, indicate the presence of contamination associated with non-protein contaminants, for example, the presence of silica beads in the final product. Taken together, the absorbance readings over this range of wavelengths present a strong indicator of the level of purity oft a sample.  
     [0174] Table 2 indicates that gDNA captured on oleophobic coated glass fiber showed a good yield, averaged 13.56 μg/ml, and a A 260/280  ratio that on average was about 1.76. Further, absorbance readings at 212, 230, 320 and 405 were relatively low (0.617, 0.271, 0.018 and 0.107 respectively). When compared to similarly treated cells that were lysed and trapped on a glass fiber membrane, no coating, the yield was higher, averaged 17.75, but the A 260/280  ratio (1.55) and 212, 230, 320 and 405 absorbance readings (1.78, 0.562, 0.046, and 0.658, respectively) were all inferior. The absorbance data indicates that the additional yield as determined by absorbance readings for the glass fiber trapping membrane plates is likely due to increased protein contamination, and not superior trapping properties. Conversely, the oleophobic coated glass fiber provides an excellent material for use in the isolation of gDNA using the solutions and methods of the present invention, as there was little protein contamination in the final eluted samples.  
               TABLE 2                          Yield and Purity of gDNA on Oleophobic Coated Glass Fiber Trapping       Membrane and Non-Coated Glass Fiber Trapping Membrane                                                                         Yield       A 212     A 260     A 280     A 260/280     A 405     A 230     A 320     μg/ml                         Oleophobic Coated 0.7 μm Glass Fiber Trapping Membrane                                             0.6   0.275   0.157   1.752   0.058   0.257   0.012   13.154       0.626   0.303   0.17   1.785   0.069   0.278   0.014   14.444       0.607   0.286   0.161   1.769   0.067   0.266   0.014   13.592       0.551   0.23   0.131   1.755   0.051   0.245   0.012   10.92       0.573   0.254   0.14   1.812   0.073   0.252   0.013   12.066       0.67   0.332   0.186   1.785   0.086   0.291   0.015   15.874       0.593   0.256   0.152   1.687   0.147   0.275   0.021   11.761       0.713   0.351   0.199   1.767   0.107   0.306   0.018   16.688       Ave:   Ave:   Ave:   Ave:   Ave:   Ave:   Ave:   Ave:       0.61663   0.28588   0.162   1.764   0.0823   27125   0.015   13.562       Standard.   SD:   SD:   SD:   SD:   SD:   SD:   SD:       Deviation   0.0411   0.0226   0.0366   0.0313   0.0205   0.0031    2.019       (SD):       0.0526                 0.7 μm Glass Fiber Trapping Membrane                                             1.333   0.273   0.181   1.512   0.396   0.416   0.032   12.079       1.596   0.377   0.24   1.568   0.587   0.52   0.043   16.691       1.573   0.378   0.243   1.557   0.575   0.514   0.042   16.812       1.519   0.39   0.246   1.587   0.474   0.506   0.037   17.667       1.87   0.43   0.28   1.538   0.782   0.6   0.057   18.663       1.882   0.485   0.306   1.584   0.677   0.62   0.05   21.772       2.556   0.464   0.308   1.507   0.994   0.743   0.056   20.423       1.922   0.409   0.267   1.533   0.776   0.577   0.051   17.917       Ave:   Ave:   Ave:   Ave:   Ave:   Ave:   Ave:   Ave:       1.781   0.400   0.259   1.548   0.658   0.562   0.046   17.753       SD:   SD:   SD:   SD:   SD:   SD:   SD:   SD:       0.375   0.065   0.041   0.031   0.192   0.097   0.009    2.887                  
 
     Example 8  
     [0175] Oleophobic Coated Acrylic Fibers are Excellent Trapping Membranes for Isolation of gDNA  
     [0176] Samples were essentially as prepared in the Examples and gDNA isolated on a trapping membrane composed of either oleophobic coated acrylic fibers or non-coated acrylic fibers. Fibers had 0.8 μm pore size and were fitted into 96-well plates, each trapping membrane including a PES 18-20 frit for support.  
     [0177] As shown in Table 3, the oleophobic coated acrylic fiber acts as an excellent trapping membrane, comparable and slightly better than the non-coated acrylic fibers. As in the previous Example, absorbance readings were preformed at 212, 230, 260, 280, 320 and 405 nm on eluted gDNA samples. An A 260/280  ratio was performed. Table 3 illustrates that gDNA isolated on the oleophobic coated acrylic fiber shows excellent purity, an average A 260/280  ratio of 1.83, and average 212, 230, 320 and 405 nm readings of 1.316, 0.3609, 0.006 and 0.067. The data in this Example shows that oleophobic coated acrylic fiber are an excellent trapping membrane for gDNA, and useful in high throughput applications, for example in multi-well plates.  
               TABLE 3                          Yield and Purity of gDNA on Oleophobic Coated Acrylic       Fiber Trapping Membrane and Non-Coated Acrylic       Fiber Trapping Membrane                                                                         Yield       A 212     A 260     A 280     A 260/280     A 405     A 230     A 320     μg/ml                         Oleophobic Coated 0.8 μm Acrylic Fiber Trapping Membrane                                             0.716   0.402   0.212   1.899   0   0.209   0   20.12       0.806   0.534   0.247   2.167   0.008   0.268   0.005   26.72       4.494   0.311   0.216   1.443   0.966   1.047   0.047   15.57       1.415   0.618   0.341   1.813   0.075   0.429   0.006   30.91       0.824   0.421   0.226   1.859   0.022   0.243   0.005   21.034       0.947   0.454   0.247   1.835   0.055   0.277   0.008   22.683       0.747   0.432   0.232   1.866   0   0.22   0   21.62       1.333   0.603   0.329   1.83   0.043   0.38   0.007   30.132       1.434   0.675   0.352   1.916   0.023   0.405   0.003   33.74       0.742   0.393   0.208   1.89   0.007   0.217   0.002   19.67       2.356   0.397   0.245   1.624   0.251   0.553   0.013   19.88       0.924   0.546   0.293   1.86   0.018   0.287   0.004   27.29       0.973   0.502   0.279   1.802   0.023   0.289   0.005   25.1       0.878   0.411   0.222   1.85   0   0.25   0   20.56       1.149   0.539   0.296   1.818   0.056   0.34   0.004   26.95       Ave:   Ave:   Ave:   Ave:   Ave:   Ave:   Ave:   Ave:       1.316   0.483   0.263   1.831   0.095   0.361   0.006   23.81                 0.8 μm Acrylic Fiber Trapping Membrane                                             0.766   0.35   0.194   1.801   0.082   0.231   0.006   17.49       1.732   0.401   0.244   1.647   0.312   0.439   0.017   20.06       0.628   0.336   0.186   1.809   0.031   0.2   0.003   16.79       1.149   0.373   0.219   1.708   0.127   0.308   0.008   18.25       0.961   0.403   0.23   1.75   0.146   0.28   0.013   19.51       0.997   0.404   0.228   1.77   0.112   0.284   0.008   19.80       0.783   0.386   0.212   1.816   0.051   0.236   0.003   19.14       0.819   0.38   0.213   1.779   0.068   0.246   0.006   18.7       1.549   0.548   0.313   1.748   0.288   0.412   0.027   26.04       1.071   0.397   0.233   1.706   0.127   0.298   0.019   18.91       0.919   0.425   0.238   1.788   0.067   0.261   0.012   20.66       5.34   1.41   1.101   1.281   6.09   1.784   0.316   54.70       1.134   0.474   0.275   1.723   0.124   0.316   0.011   23.16       1.801   0.428   0.259   1.652   0.367   0.443   0.021   21.39       1.059   0.468   0.263   1.781   0.095   0.306   0.007   23.40       1.329   0.455   0.261   1.746   0.132   0.354   0.01   22.75       Ave:   Ave:   Ave:   Ave:   Ave:   Ave:   Ave:   Ave:       1.377   0.477   0.292   1.719   0.514   0.400   0.0304   23.87                  
 
     [0178] The disclosures for all patents and publications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.