Technical note: improved DNA extraction from ancient bones using silica-based spin columns.
We describe a simple method for extracting polymerase chain reaction-amplifiable DNA from ancient bones without the use of organic solvents. Bone powders are digested with proteinase K, and the DNA is purified directly using silica-based spin columns (QIAquick3, QIAGEN). The efficiency of this protocol is demonstrated using human bone samples ranging in age from 15 to 5,000 years old.
Yang
D Y
DY
Department of Anthropology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Eng
B
B
Waye
J S
JS
Dudar
J C
JC
Saunders
S R
SR
D000818:Animals; D001842:Bone and Bones; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005580:Fossils; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods*
D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D004247:DNA