title: Characterization of denaturation and renaturation of DNA for DNA hybridization.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study was designed to systematically characterize the denaturation and the renaturation of double stranded DNA (dsDNA), which is suitable for DNA hybridization.
  
  
  METHODS
  A series of physical and chemical denaturation methods were implemented on well-defined 86-bp dsDNA fragment. The degree of each denaturation was measured and the most suitable denaturation method was determined. DNA renaturation tendency was also investigated for the suggested denaturation method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Heating, beads mill, and sonication bath did not show any denaturation for 30 minutes. However probe sonication fully denatured DNA in 5 minutes. 1 mol/L sodium hydroxide (alkaline treatment) and 60% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) treatment fully denatured DNA in 2-5 minutes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among all the physical methods applied, the direct probe sonication was the most effective way to denature the DNA fragments. Among chemical methods, 60% DMSO was the most adequate denaturation method since it does not cause full renaturation during DNA hybridization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA.
authors.forename: Xiaofang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun Jeong
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Ahjeong
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Son
keywords: Beads mill; DNA denaturation; DNA renaturation; Dimethyl sulfoxide; Heating; Sonication