DNA extraction in three minutes or less

University of Washington (UW) engineers, with spin-out company NanoFacture, have developed a device that can simply and efficiently extract human DNA from fluid samples, making it ready for analysis and genome sequencing in minutes.

The handheld device for extracting DNA. Photo credit: UW/NanoFacture/KNR.

UW Associate Professor Jae-Hyun Chung, who led the research, said the current procedure for DNA extraction is “like collecting human hairs using a construction crane.” This complexity means DNA extraction cannot keep up with advances in genome sequencing, used for disease prevention and treatment.

Conventional methods use a centrifuge to spin and separate DNA molecules or strain them from a fluid sample with a microfilter. These processes take 20-30 minutes to complete and can require excessive toxic chemicals.

The UW engineers designed microscopic probes, called microtips and nanotips, which dip into fluid samples and apply an electric field within the liquid. This draws particles towards the surface of the probe, with the DNA-sized molecules sticking to it and becoming trapped. It takes 2-3 minutes to separate and purify DNA using the technology, removing “all the steps of conventional methods,” according to Chung.

The handheld version of the device can prepare four separate human fluid samples at once. The technology could also be scaled up to prepare 96 samples at a time or scaled down to be sent home with patients, who could swab their own cheeks, process DNA from their saliva and send it back to hospitals and labs for analysis.

In the meantime, the handheld version of the device is ready for manufacturing and eventual distribution to hospitals and clinics, where it will help with genome sequencing, disease diagnosis and forensic investigations. NanoFacture signed a contract with Korean manufacturer KNR Systems in April.