Olympus speeds up DNA extract

A device for the rapid and efficient separation of DNA from proteins in cell-extract solutions has been developed by Olympus Optical, Japan, based on the principle of electrophoresis. The device takes about a minute to complete an operation that normally requires around two hours using conventional centrifuge techniques. Olympus plans to commercialise the product next year for use in genome research laboratories. The device is built from an ultra-thin, 10cm diameter separator sandwiched between two plates of heat-resistant glass, with a 30-micron gap. It has an input port on one end where the liquid sample is injected, and an exit port on the opposite end where separated DNA is collected. Platinum electrodes at both ends apply a voltage that cause the weakly charged DNA and protein molecules to cleanly separate. It is also possible to separate out different types of proteins.