Rapid extraction of bacterial genomic DNA with guanidium thiocyanate

TLDR

The study presents a rapid method for isolating and purifying bacterial genomic DNA. The protocol lyses 215 bacterial strains with guanidium thiocyanate, then uses three additional reagents and a single high‑speed centrifugation step to extract DNA. The resulting DNA is high‑purity, high‑molecular‑mass, double‑stranded, and the method works for both Gram‑positive and Gram‑negative bacteria while eliminating nuclease activity and obviating phenol, RNase, and protease treatments.

Abstract

A method is described for the rapid isolation and purification of bacterial genomic DNA. A total of 215 bacterial strains representing species of Campylobacter, Corynebacterium, Escherichia, Legionella, Neisseria, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus, were lysed with guanidium thiocyanate. DNA was prepared using just three other reagents and one high-speed centrifugation step. The method, which was applicable to both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, eliminated endogenous nuclease activity and avoided the need for phenol, RNase and protease treatments. The DNA was of high purity, high molecular mass and double-stranded.