Abstract
Two popular tissue preservatives, 100 % ethanol and 20 % salt saturated dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solution were tested for the existence of amplifiable, free-floating DNA after 2–18 years of tissue storage. We found that short mtDNA fragments were consistently amplified and sequenced from DMSO preservative, while nDNA amplification was limited and inconsistent. Amplification of both mtDNA and nDNA failed most of the time for the ethanol samples.
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References
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Acknowledgments
We thank sample contributors, Robin Baird (Cascadia Research Collaborative), SWFSC’s Regional Stranding and Fishery Observer Programs, Chris Gabriele (Glacier Bay National Park) and Paul Wade (NMFS/AKFSC/NMML). Special thanks to Brittany Hanser, Aimee Lang, and William Perrin (SWFSC) and two anonymous reviewers for helpful comments. All samples were collected under NMFS Marine Mammal Permits. Reference to trade names does not imply endorsement by NMFS, NOAA.
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Robertson, K.M., Minich, J., Bowman, A.J. et al. A thin soup: extraction and amplification of DNA from DMSO and ethanol used as preservative for cetacean tissue samples. Conservation Genet Resour 5, 929–933 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12686-013-9934-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12686-013-9934-4