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Analysis of viruses in biological and environmental samples requires efficient methods for viral nucleic acids that are amenable to a variety of sample types. Viral nucleic acids may need to be isolated from saliva, blood, tissue, and even wastewater or stool samples. Each sample type has unique requirements for optimal nucleic acid extraction and isolation.
The two most common viral nucleic acid isolation technologies are magnetic beads and silica (glass) fiber filters. Both work by taking advantage of their different affinity for nucleic acids based on the concentration of chaotropic salts in the buffer, binding in high-salt buffers and eluting in low-salt buffers.
Silica-containing spin columns for viral RNA/DNA isolation are based on the well-known silica-binding properties of DNA and RNA. The spin column format makes washing the silica easy and efficient.
Our viral spin-column products including PureLink Viral RNA/DNA Mini Kit and GeneJET Viral DNA/RNA Purification Kit are designed for fast and easy isolation of viral RNA or DNA from cell-free samples such as serum, plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, and cell culture supernatant.
Magnetic bead-based viral nucleic acid extraction kits utilize small paramagnetic beads that strongly yet reversibly bind to DNA/RNA. Benefits of bead-based MagMAX Viral and Pathogen Nucleic Acid Isolation Kits include:
All of our viral spin-column kits including PureLink Viral RNA/DNA Mini Kit, Thermo Scientific GeneJET Viral DNA/RNA Purification Kit and PureLink Pro 96 Viral RNA/DNA Kit with 96-well plate are designed for fast and easy isolation of viral RNA or DNA from cell-free samples such as serum, plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, and cell culture supernatant.
Some viral kits are experiencing long lead times but there is another option. See our automated isolation solution using MagMAX Viral/Pathogen Nucleic Acid Isolation kits.
Viral nucleic extraction kits from Thermo Fisher Scientific are optimized to provide maximum viral DNA/RNA yield, purity, and integrity from a broad range of sample types. Choose the kit that best suits your research needs:
Best for | Recovery of low abundance viral DNA/RNA | High quality DNA/RNA from liquid samples | Automated extraction of viral DNA/RNA from liquid samples | Automated extraction of DNA/RNA from range of biological sample types | DNA/RNA extraction from difficult to lyse samples |
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Product | PureLink Viral RNA/DNA Mini Kit![]() | GeneJet Viral DNA/RNA Purification Kit | PureLink Pro 96 Viral RNA/DNA Purification Kit | MagMAX Prime Viral/Pathogen NA Isolation Kit![]() | MagMAX Microbiome Ultra Nucleic Acid Isolation Kit![]() |
Cat. No. | 12280050 | K0821 | 12280096A | A58145 | A42357 |
Starting volume | 500 µL | 200–400 µL | 200 µL | 200–400 µL | 200–500 µL or 100–250 mg |
Sample types | Cell-free plasma, serum, cerebrospinal fluid | Plasma, serum, nasal swab, buccal swab, saliva, urine | Cell-free plasma, serum, cerebrospinal fluid | Swabs in transport media (respiratory, genital and lesion swabs), saliva, stool, urine, plasma and serum | Stool, swabs, transport media, culture media, urine, wastewater, soil |
Isolation technology & format | silica spin column | silica spin column | silica- membrane 96-well microplate | magnetic beads/ deep-well plate | magnetic beads/ multiwell plate |
Protocol time | 45 mins | 30–60 mins | 30 mins | 30–60 mins (automated) | ~60 mins |
Sample elution volume | 10–50 µL | 50 µL | 50–150 µL | 60 µL | 50–200 μL |
Automation compatible | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Number of preps | 50 | 50 | 384 | 600 | 100 |
Downstream applications | (RT)-PCR, (RT)-qPCR, Northern Blotting | (RT)-PCR, (RT)-qPCR, Northern Blotting | (RT)-PCR, (RT)-qPCR, Northern Blotting | (RT)-PCR, (RT)-qPCR, NGS | (RT)-PCR, (RT)-qPCR, NGS |
Need to isolate intact virus? Visit SARS-CoV-2 Virus Purification to learn how
For fast, easy, and effective high-throughput sample processing, automate your nucleic acid isolation workflow. KingFisher automated sample purification systems can be used to process all MagMAX kits, including MagMAX Viral/Pathogen Nucleic Acid Isolation Kits and MagMAX Prime Viral/Pathogen NA Isolation Kit.
Automated viral DNA extraction protocols for the silica plate-based PureLink Pro 96 Viral RNA/DNA Purification Kit use a vacuum manifold to achieve buffer flow/wash and are available for a variety of XYZ liquid handlers.
The RNA purification process presents unique challenges, one of which is ribonuclease contamination. Even a trace amount of RNase contamination can sabotage your experiment. Our RNAse-free Reagents and Supplies are designed to be used together to help avoid, detect, and inhibit RNases and nucleases in your lab.
Nucleic Acid Purification and Analysis Support Center
Find tips, troubleshooting help, and resources for your nucleic acid purification & analysis applications.
For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.
For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.