Effective breakage of phage lambda DNA by shearing with ceramic-coated needle of syringe.
The loss of biological activity of phage lambda DNA was much greater when the DNA was sheared using a ceramic-coated needle attached to a syringe compared with a conventional stainless steel needle. Inactivation of the biological activity was due to breakage at the middle of the molecule. The thickness of the ceramic-coating was a crucial factor for the breakage. Because approximately the same level of inactivation was observed with a non-coated needle as with thin glass and quartz tubes, it was concluded that the unknown characteristic(s) of the silicon nitride (SiNx) coating itself resulted in the effective breakage of lambda DNA molecules by shearing force.
Inokuchi
Hachiro
H
Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology and Evaluation, Kazusa, Chiba, Japan. inokuchi-hachiro@nite.go.jp
Inokuti
Yukio
Y
D010582:Bacteriophage lambda / Q000737:chemistry*; D002516:Ceramics; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000737:chemistry*; D009339:Needles; D013594:Syringes
D004279:DNA, Viral