Nucleic acid molecules, DNA and RNA carry the genetic information of living cells (Alberts et al. 2002). By the proliferation of living organisms on earth, nucleic acids today are omnipresent in our environment, caused by living organisms, as well as by the release of nucleic acids from dead cells (Pääbo et al. 2004, Mulligan 2005). By desiccation and mineralization, encapsulated nucleic acid molecules of dead organisms were conserved in the environment for millennia or even millions of years (Green et al. 2006, Noonan et al. 2006).
Researching this fossil genetic information (“ancient DNA“) opens a completely new view at evolution, but also at archeology (Bollongion et al. 2006, Haak et al. 2004, Noonan et al. 2006). Such new fields of research are based on new methods for the treatment of nucleic acids. Good examples are methods for the purification, analysis and amplification of nucleic acids (Sambrook & Russel 2001). A fast and reproducible isolation and cleaning of nucleic acids was not possible until the development of the silica matrix. This also established the automation of these processes for high throughput. This again, was a prerequisite for the optimization of DNA sequencing to such a level, as to permit the sequencing of complete genomes to become standard. One milestone of this work is the decoding of the entire human genome (Collins et al. 2003). Finally, for a quick amplification of DNA and RNA molecules, the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technology proved to be decisive. Today, this method has been refined to detect even individual molecules (Innis et al. 1990).
All these methods have been the driving force for the fast development in genetic engineering over the last 30 years (Demain 2001). Recombinant techniques in genetic engineering laboratories now produce more and more artificial nucleic acid molecules (Bensasson et al. 2004). These recombinant nucleic acid molecules are important tools for research and development while making completely new demands to biological safety, since an uncontrolled release or widespread distribution (contamination) has to be prevented (Kaiser 2005a, 2005b). Keeping the distribution of nucleic acids in check by employing efficient decontamination products is therefore a current topic. On the one hand, an efficient decontamination / degradation is necessary to appropriately use highly sensitive processes for analysis, as incorrect results, i.e. false-positive results, due to contaminating nucleic acid molecules can be observed with increasing frequency. Such incorrectly positive test results can have serious consequences for medical diagnostics, for criminology or for scientific analyses. On the other hand, the unrestricted distribution of problematic nucleic acid molecules, such as multi-resistance cassettes, oncogenes, recombinant infectious, viral genomes, etc. must be prevented (Benasson et al. 2004, Burns et al. 1991, Davison 1999, Dzidic & Bedekovic 2003, Guyot et al. 1999, Ho et al. 2001, Kaiser 2005a, Lorenz & Wackernagel 1994).To our knowledge, no technical literature is available covering the current problem of nucleic acid decontamination. It is the objective of this brochure to collect the most important data and facts.
Until recently, no products developed specifically for nucleic acid decontamination existed. As described earlier, users resorted to conventional, aggressive, chemical substances from the field of cleaning and disinfection. The effectiveness of these products was not specifically destined for nucleic acid decontamination and they are characterized by highly corrosive and hazardous ingredients.
The first targeted product development of a sustainable and at the same time non-aggressive nucleic acid decontamination product under the brand of the new DNA-ExitusPlus™ also permits completely new applications.
We are convinced that our decontamination reagents are the best solutions in the market!
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