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Nucleic Acid Purification from Soil and Environmental Sources

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Sample Preparation Techniques for Soil, Plant, and Animal Samples

Part of the book series: Springer Protocols Handbooks ((SPH))

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Abstract

The extraction of nucleic acids from soil and environmental samples allows scientists the opportunity to discern the microbial community irrespective of viability and cultivability. General nucleic acid extraction and purification approaches are discussed as well as their limitations. Soil type and humic acid content are among many factors that can affect the processing approach. The environmental sample collection, extraction, and purification protocol developed for a low-population density cleanroom environment is discussed as a specific example of environmental sample processing. This practical application of DNA purification techniques were used to assess microbial diversity and abundance in spacecraft assembly cleanrooms.

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Acknowledgements

The research reported in this manuscript was carried out at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, under a contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Dr., Pasadena, CA, 91101, USA

    Moogega Cooper Ph.D.

  2. US Food and Drug Administration, 6502 S. Archer Road, Bedford Park, IL, 60501, USA

    Christina Stam Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Moogega Cooper Ph.D.
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  2. Christina Stam Ph.D.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Moogega Cooper Ph.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Engineering Design Technology, Cerritos College, Norwalk, California, USA

    Miodrag Micic

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Cooper, M., Stam, C. (2016). Nucleic Acid Purification from Soil and Environmental Sources. In: Micic, M. (eds) Sample Preparation Techniques for Soil, Plant, and Animal Samples. Springer Protocols Handbooks. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-3185-9_21

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-3185-9_21

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-3184-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-3185-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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