BioTechniques’ Editor-in-chief Michelle Itano (University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA) casts her eye back to pick out her top three papers from April to June. Get her reviews of an examination of cfDNA extraction methods, a proximity-biotinylation-based method for the investigation of protein–protein interactions and a new HPLC-based approach to single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) extraction. Evaluation and verification of cfDNA extraction methods Circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is a promising source of biomarkers for liquid biopsies. However, its low abundance and fragmented nature have proven to be a challenge for downstream analytical methods such as droplet digital PCR and next-generation sequencing. The quality and quantity of cfDNA extracted from a sample can be influenced by pre-analytical factors such as sampling, sample transport and storage. Equally important, the choice of cfDNA extraction method can influence yield and fragment recovery. In this Editorial, the authors provide an overview of different extraction methods of circulating cell free DNA for use in liquid biopsy assays. With an emphasis on the heterogeneity of extraction kits, the authors compare commercial kits available in both manual and automated formats, evaluating fluorometric and PCR-based quantification methods, costs, and yield performance. They emphasize that the optimal cfDNA extraction kit is highly dependent on individual laboratory needs, taking into account factors such as equipment availability, capacity, and costs. Read the full article here>>> eBook: Lab essentials – DNA extraction methods This eBook explores various DNA extraction methods and techniques with key content from the BioTechniques site and journal. Investigating the interactomic landscape…
