(Revised from www.bio101.com)

In 1986, BIO 101 introduced the GENECLEAN® Kit as a rapid and efficient method for purifying DNA from agarose gels. Alternative methods in use at the time were inefficient and took several hours or days to complete. The GENECLEAN Kit, by shortening the process to 20 minutes, thus became a useful tool in the molecular biology laboratory. The GENECLEAN procedure (patent pending) is useful as a general method to “clean” DNA so that subsequent uses are more efficient (i.e. enzyme reactions, transformations, etc.).

GENECLEAN SPIN Protocols

Note: SPIN Filters have a maximum rating of 14,000 x g.
Exceeding this may cause the filters to rupture and leak.

Rapid isolation of 0.2–300 kb DNA from any type of agarose.

1. Melt gel in 400 µl of GENECLEAN SPIN GLASSMILK in GENECLEAN SPIN Filter:

• Shake to suspend GENECLEAN SPIN GLASSMILK and add 400 µl to GENECLEAN SPIN Filter.
• Add gel slice (300 mg maximum/filter).
• Heat to 55°C for 5 minutes to melt gel; flick tube to mix. Invert every
  minute to prevent settling of matrix (GENECLEAN SPIN can bind up to 5 µg of DNA/prep. If you are isolating more than 5 µg of DNA, divide sample into multiple preps).
• Spin liquid out of filter into Catch Tube (<14,000 x g).
• Empty Catch Tube as needed.

2. Wash with GENECLEAN SPIN NEW Wash (add ethanol before first use)

• Add 500 µl of GENECLEAN SPIN NEWWash to the filter.
• Spin for 30 seconds or until SPIN Filter is emptied of wash (<14,000 x g).
• Repeat Wash 4X
• Empty Catch Tube and spin for 2 minutes to remove the remaining Ethenol.
• Air dry or heat shortly to dry pellet.

3. Elute DNA with sterile ddH2O or GENECLEAN SPIN Elution Solution:

• Transfer SPIN Filter to a fresh Catch Tube.
• Add 10–25 µl GENECLEAN SPIN Elution Solution and resuspend GLASSMILK by gently pipetting up and down (if working with DNA >10 kb, use a large bore pipet).
• Spin for 30 seconds (<14,000 x g) to transfer eluted DNA to Catch Tube. Note: A second elution can increase yield an additional 10–15%.
• Discard SPIN Filter and cap the tube. DNA in solution is ready to use without further manipulation.