X-Message-Number: 24558
Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2004 20:35:48 -0700 (PDT)
From: Doug Skrecky <>
Subject: DMSO/salt preserves DNA

Biochem Genet. 2002 Feb;40(1-2):53-62.
Noncryogenic preservation of mammalian tissues for DNA extraction: an
assessment of storage methods.
  Reliable field methods for the storage of tissues to be used for DNA
extraction and amplification are critical to many studies employing
molecular techniques. Protection from DNA degradation was compared among
three commonly used methods of noncryogenic storage of tissues over a
time scale of 2 years. All three methods prevented DNA degradation during
storage for at least 6 months. DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide)-salt solution
provided the best protection from DNA degradation of tissues stored for
up to 2 years. High molecular weight DNA was recovered from lysis buffer
in which tissue was stored for 2 years, however, moderate amounts of
degraded DNA was also present. High molecular weight DNA was recovered
from tissues stored in ethanol for 2 years, however the yield was
relatively small compared to the other two noncryogenic storage
techniques. Much of the DNA degradation in ethanol preserved tissues
appeared to occur during the extraction procedure and can be reduced by
soaking the tissue in lysis buffer for a few hours prior to beginning the
extraction. The yield of PCR products was greatest from DNA extracted
from DMSO-salt solution preserved tissues, whereas DNA from tissues stored
in either lysis buffer or ethanol produced lower yields.

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