CHELEX, GUANIDINE, AND PHENOL/CHLOROFORM: A COMPARISON OF EXTRACTIONS FOR ANCIENT DNA FROM DENTIN POWDER

Authors

J. Daniel Rasband, Brigham Young University

Keywords

chelex, guanidine, ancient DNA, dentin powder, phenol/chloroform

College

Life Sciences

Department

Physiology and Developmental Biology

Abstract

Several different methods have been employed in the extraction and amplification of ancient DNA (aDNA). The work in this thesis Is an effort to compare three popular extraction techniques, chelex, guanidine/ silica slurry, and phenol/chloroform, as applied to extracting DNA from the dentin of ancient teeth. Modern and ancient samples were extracted using the three techniques. The extract was then amplified using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The data show that of the three extraction procedures, the most favorable results were obtained using the guanidine/silica slurry extraction technique, producing consistently good amplification. The phenol/chloroform extraction was mildly successful, showing amplification in one third to one half of the samples. The chelex extraction showed consistent amplification of the positive control only.

Recommended Citation

Rasband, J. Daniel (2014) "CHELEX, GUANIDINE, AND PHENOL/CHLOROFORM: A COMPARISON OF EXTRACTIONS FOR ANCIENT DNA FROM DENTIN POWDER," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2014: Iss. 1, Article 896.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2014/iss1/896