DNA purification is the step in the process of preparation of samples that removes salts, enzymes and other contaminants from lysed samples and PCR products prior to further processes like cloning or sequencing. It also removes unwanted PCR-induced adversities like primer dimers and nucleotides that are not incorporated. DNA purification is a critical step in molecular biology and requires careful planning in order to obtain top-quality, reliable results.

There are many different methods to the purification of DNA. Traditional DNA isolation methods require many steps including leukocyte isolation or red blood cell lysis in order to remove hemoproteins that hinder the PCR reaction, deproteinization, the treatment of RNAse. These include ethanol and isopropanol precipitation, and finally DNA elimination. The majority of these protocols require specially designed equipment, like an electrophoresis system and biosafety cabinets due to the hazardous intercalating dyes used in the electrophoresis gel.

Other methods for purifying DNA use spin columns or 96-well filter plates to separate out contaminated particles by adsorbing them to the surface of the plate or column. These methods can be time-consuming, especially if you are working with lots of samples or DNA purification steps if the columns need to be manually refilled.

Dipsticks reduce the number sample processing steps from six to three. They bind nucleic acid using an cellulose-based wax and then release them when water is present. This technique is especially useful in low-resource environments, like remote field sites as well as teaching labs. Its simplicity and speed (30 seconds for each sample) makes it highly suitable for diagnostic molecular applications such as diagnosis, genotype screening and heterozygosity testing.