On the Use of Nitrocellulose Membranes for Dialysis-mediated Purification of Ancient DNA from Human Bone and Teeth Extracts

Abstract

One of the crucial steps during ancient DNA purification is the removal of inhibitory substances from hard tissue extracts. We present a cheap and easy-to-perform method for the purification of ancient DNA using nitrocellulose membranes in order to remove inhibitory inorganic (EDTA, calcium, etc.) and organic (humic acid, fulvic acids, etc.) compounds from tissue extracts in a single step procedure. Subsequent ethanol precipitation provides purified and concentrated ancient DNA, suitable for multiplex PCR amplification.