| abstract |
Method for making available a desired nucleic acid contained in a biological sample, comprising the steps of acidifying said biological sample to a pH at which endogenous nucleases capable of degrading the desired nucleic acid(s) are inactive, contacting said biological sample with an exogenous acid protease active at said pH, incubating said sample until endogenous nuclease activities are reduced to insignificant levels, and raising the pH of the biological sample to a pH sufficient to render the exogenous protease less active. |