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Automated extraction and amplification of DNA from whole blood using a robotic workstation and an integrated thermocycler
Author(s) -
Smit Maarten L.,
Giesendorf Belinda A. J.,
Heil Sandra G.,
Vet Jacqueline A. M.,
Trijbels Frans J. M.,
Blom Henk J.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
biotechnology and applied biochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.468
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1470-8744
pISSN - 0885-4513
DOI - 10.1042/ba20000043
Subject(s) - dna extraction , dna , automated method , workstation , computational biology , mutation , biology , polymerase chain reaction , computer science , genetics , artificial intelligence , gene , operating system
Growing knowledge of the genetic basis of inheritable diseases has resulted in a rapidly increasing demand for DNA mutation analysis. Current methods are reliable and suitable for low‐throughput mutation analyses, but are unable to cope with the increasing demand for genetic analyses, necessitating the development of new, fully automated and reliable methods. We developed a semi‐automated method for DNA mutation analysis by integrating a thermocycler into a robotic pipetting workstation. DNA was extracted from 84 samples of 10 μl of EDTA‐treated whole blood using magnetic beads within 2 h. Directly after isolation, the DNA was automatically transferred to an integrated thermocycler for amplification. Our semi‐automated method proved to be reliable and robust, showing unambiguously interpretable PCR signals without occurrence of contamination. It is also faster than conventional manual methods. Only a brief manual intervention is required to remove and refit the seal of the PCR plate. This semi‐automated assay is a step forward in the development of fully automated assays for DNA mutation analysis.