S-Technology: nucleic acid isolation and archiving

Molecular diagnostic tests are highly sensitive and can detect very small amounts of target DNA or RNA in a sample. To work effectively, however, they require nucleic acid extraction, a process that lyses cells to release nucleic acids while removing contaminating proteins and amplification inhibitors. Laboratory-based methods such as PCR typically need highly purified nucleic acids, whereas isothermal methods can sometimes use semipurified samples. Even so, impure samples may reduce specificity because amplification inhibition can cause false-negative results. DNAiTECH provides high-sensitivity, high-specificity molecular amplification using LAMP-CRISPR technology for point-of-care use. Many laboratory DNA extraction methods are unsuitable for point-of-care settings; for example, spin columns require centrifuges, which are often unavailable. DNAiTECH’s S-TECH extracts DNA and RNA from all sample types efficiently using syringes instead of centrifuges. S-TECH has been used for extraction of many different sample types including nasal swabs, throat swabs, biopsies, urine, faecal, blood, environmental water samples, honey, bee hive swabs, soil samples

S-TECH extraction begins by heating the sample in an SDS lysis buffer. This step can be performed using the DNAiTECH denaturator or a simple water heater, e.g. boiler/kettle etc and a tube flotation device, making it practical for point-of-care use. After cell debris precipitates, the sample is drawn through the S-TECH filter under vacuum with a small disposable syringe. Debris binds to the top filter layer, which is then discarded, while nucleic acids remain bound to the second layer, where they are washed and dried. The nucleic acids can then be eluted for diagnostic testing or stored on the S-TECH filter for later elution and analysis.

A key advantage of S-TECH is its ability to extract nucleic acids from a wide range of sample types, ease of use, beyond the lab operation, low cost and the unique ability to preserve and archive highly labile RNA for weeks without any degradation when stored dry in a small zip-lock plastic bag with a desiccant sachet