DNA isolation procedures significantly influence the outcome of PCR-based detection of human pathogens. Unlike clinical samples, DNA isolation from food samples, particularly from fresh and fresh-cut produce has remained a formidable task and has hampered the sensitivity and accuracy of molecular methods. We utilized a commercially available filter-based DNA isolation method (FTA) in conjunctio...

Alexandrium tamarensis is a toxigenic dinoflagellate found in coastal waters worldwide. A critical factor in alleviating the health and economic threats posed by this species is the development of a rapid and reliable method for detection. This study stream-lined a labor- and resource-intensive protocol for the isolation of A. tamarensis ribosomal DNA (rDNA). Subcultures of A. tamarensis were e...

Extraction of intact quality DNA from plant tissues, especially those rich in secondary metabolites, is often challenging. Literally, hundreds of different DNA isolation protocols from various plant species have been published over the last decades. Although many commercial DNA isolation kits are convenient and designed to be safe, their cost and availability cause limitations in small molecula...

This paper presents a microchip that integrates the isolation and amplification of target-binding DNA strands in a randomized DNA mixture. Target-binding strands are isolated in the chip via binding with human immunoglobulin E (IgE) immobilized on microbeads, electrophoretically transported through a gel-filled microchannel, captured onto microbead-tethered reverse primers, and amplified using ...