Methods and apparatuses for nucleic acid shearing by sonication
Methods and kits for preparing nucleic acid fragments from a sample of purified nucleic acid are provided. Alternatively, chromatin or other long polymers can be sheared with similar methods and kits.
1. A composition, comprising: an aqueous buffer solution which is substantially free of glycerol, monodisperse glass particles being 1.6-8 microns in diameter; and purified nucleic acids.
2. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the monodisperse particles are present at 0.1% to 20% weight per volume when mixed with the aqueous buffer solution.
3. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the aqueous buffer solution comprises Tris and EDTA and has a pH of 7.5 to 8.0.
4. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the purified nucleic acids comprise genomic DNA that is free of cellular lysate.
5. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the purified nucleic acids comprise chromatin that is free of cellular lysate.
6. The composition of claim 1 , comprising 2-5% weight per volume of the monodisperse glass particles.
7. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the monodisperse glass particles comprise a blocky sharp shape and a hardness of 9.6 (Moh).
8. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the monodisperse glass particles comprise a spherical shape and a hardness of 6.5 (Moh).
9. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the monodisperse glass particles are non-magnetic.
10. The composition of claim 1 , further comprising a sonicator.
11. The composition of claim 10 , wherein the sonicator comprises a focusing acoustic sonicator.