Preparation of Double-Stranded (Replicative Form) Bacteriophage M13 DNA

The double-stranded, closed-circular, replicative form (RF) of M13 DNA is present in high copy numbers in infected cells, and its physical characteristics are essentially identical to those of closed-circular plasmid DNAs. Any of the methods commonly used to purify plasmid DNA can therefore be used to isolate M13 RF DNA. This protocol describes the isolation of M13 RF DNA by alkaline lysis from small volumes (1-2 mL) of infected bacterial cultures. The yield of DNA (1-4 mg, depending on the size of the M13 clone) is more than enough for most purposes in molecular cloning. However, should more DNA be needed, the procedure can easily be scaled up.