Long-term stabilization of DNA at room temperature using a one-step microwave assisted process

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Materials Science
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Long-term DNA stabilization is crucial for forensic, clinical, and in-field applications.
• Current methods like freezing and dry storage have limitations including degradation, cost, and infrastructure requirements.
• There is a need for a stable, room-temperature DNA preservation method.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, rapid, and cost-effective method for long-term DNA stabilization at ambient temperatures.
• To evaluate the efficacy of a silica sol-gel preservation technique using microwave-initiated polymerization.
• To assess the stability and integrity of DNA preserved using the developed method.

Main Methods:

• A fast (~5 min) silica sol-gel preparation using microwave-initiated polymerization of tetramethoxy silane (TMOS).
• The method avoids alcohol co-solvents and acid catalysts, requiring minimal technical expertise.
• Stabilization and storage of *Escherichia coli* DNA in ambient conditions.

Main Results:

• The developed sol-gel method successfully stabilized DNA at room temperature for 210 days.
• Recovered DNA showed no significant nucleolytic or oxidative degradation.
• Performance surpassed conventional storage at -20 °C and existing state-of-the-art technologies.

Conclusions:

• The novel silica sol-gel method provides an efficient and accessible means for long-term DNA stabilization at room temperature.
• This technique is ideal for resource-limited settings and field applications due to its speed, low cost, and ease of use.
• The method offers a superior alternative to current DNA preservation strategies, ensuring DNA integrity.