Method for concentrating and isolating biomolecules or viruses
View Patent ↗A simple and convenient method for concentrating a biomolecule, including protein or nucleic acid molecules, from a sample. Purified and isolated biomolecules obtained by this method. Methods for improving the specificity or sensitivity of detecting a biomolecule by concentration and/or purification or isolation of the biomolecule according to the method of the invention.
1. A method for concentrating or isolating a nucleic acid comprising:
a) contacting a sample containing the nucleic acid with an aqueous solution of at least one salt of a polyuronic acid to form a mixture;
b) adding at least one substance that induces gel formation of the at least one salt of the polyuronic acid in the mixture;
c) isolating the gel formed in (b) from liquid components of the mixture; and
d) recovering the nucleic acid from the isolated gel, thereby concentrating or isolating the nucleic acid.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the salt of the polyuronic acid is alginate.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said at least one substance that induces gel formation of the salt of the polyuronic acid is at least one acid, at least one solution containing calcium ions, or a combination thereof.
4. The method of claim 1 , comprising adding in (b) at least one calcium solution at a concentration of calcium ions of 1 mol/L.
5. The method of claim 1 , comprising adding in (b) at least one acid at a concentration of 1% w/v.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein isolating the gel in (c) comprises centrifuging the sample and removing the supernatant.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the nucleic acid is recovered in (d) by dissolving the gel and isolating the nucleic acid from the dissolved gel.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the nucleic acid is recovered by dissolving the gel with at least one agent selected from the group consisting of an alkali, a chelating agent, and a chaotropic salt.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the nucleic acid is recovered by dissolving the gel with at least one compound selected from the group consisting of EDTA, a guanidinium salt, or a citrate.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sample contains a virus and the virus is subjected to lysis prior to (a) or after (d).