| abstract |
A method for isolating nucleic acid which comprises: (a) applying a sample comprising cells containing nucleic acid to a filter, whereby the cells are retained as a retentate and contaminants are removed; (b) lysing the retentate from step (a) while the retentate is retained by the filter to form a cell lysate containing th nucleic acid; (c) filtering the cell lysate with the filter to retain the nucleic acid and remove remaining cell lysate; (d) optionally washing the nucleic acid retained by the filter; and (e) eluting the nucleic acid, wherein the filter composition and dimensions are selected so that the filter is capable of retaining the cells and the nucleic acid. Additionally, there is provided a substrate for lysing cells and purifying nucleic acid having a matrix and a coating and an integrity maintainer for maintaining the purified nucleic acid. Also provided is a method of purifying nucleic acid by applying a nucleic acid sample to a substrate having an anionic detergent affixed to a matrix, the substrate physically capturing the nucleic acid, bonding the nucleic acid to a substrate and generating a signal when the nucleic acid bonds to the substrate indicating the presence of the nucleic acid. A kit for purifying nucleic acid containing a coated matrix and an integrity maintenance provider for preserving the matrix and purifying nucleic acid is also provided. Further, there is provided a method for quantifying DNA, such as double-stranded or genomic DNA, isolated from cells, such as leukocytes to determine the numbers of leukocytes in a sample of leukoreduced blood. |