Evaluation of methods for the extraction and purification of DNA from the human microbiome.

ABSTRACT:

Background

DNA extraction is an essential step in all cultivation-independent approaches to characterize microbial diversity, including that associated with the human body. A fundamental challenge in using these approaches has been to isolate DNA that is representative of the microbial community sampled.

Methodology/principal findings

In this study, we statistically evaluated six commonly used DNA extraction procedures using eleven human-associated bacterial species and a mock community that contained equal numbers of those eleven species. These methods were compared on the basis of DNA yield, DNA shearing, reproducibility, and most importantly representation of microbial diversity. The analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences from a mock community showed that the observed specie

SUBMITTER: Yuan S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3311548 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature