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Phenol-Chloroform-Isoamyl Alcohol (PCI) Extraction

Definition

Organic extraction method using differential solubility to partition DNA into an aqueous phase while proteins and lipids accumulate at the organic-aqueous interface or in the organic phase. Highest inhibitor removal of the four methods; manual and safety-constrained.

Related terms

Chaotropic Salt
Guanidinium thiocyanate or hydrochloride at 4-6 M concentration. Disrupts the hydration shell of DNA and causes it to bind electrostatically to silica...
Chelex-100
Styrene-divinylbenzene ion-exchange resin with iminodiacetate chelating groups. Used at 5% w/v in forensic DNA extraction to bind divalent metal cations during boiling...
Inhibition Index
A quantitative measure of PCR inhibitor burden in a DNA extract, derived from the Ct shift of an internal positive control (IPC)...
Maxwell RSC 48
Promega cartridge-based magnetic-bead extraction instrument. Each cartridge is pre-loaded with all reagents; closed-format processing eliminates cross-contamination. Used at FBI Laboratory and AFMES.
QIAcube Connect
QIAGEN robotic workstation that automates spin-column extraction protocols (QIAamp DNA Investigator). Processes 12 samples per 60-minute run; used in UK, US and...

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