Joyce: Phenol extraction

Concept

 * To remove contaminating protein that could inhibit downstream protocols, or affect the quality of your DNA in the long-term.
 * Phenol completely denatures proteins and concentrates them in the nonpolar (phenol) phase, leaving DNA undamaged in the aqueous phase

Procedure

 * 1) In a fume hood and while wearing gloves, add an equal volume of TE-saturated phenol to your DNA sample WARNING: Wear gloves and do this in a fume hood; phenol is some nasty stuff
 * 2) Vortex for at least 1 minute
 * 3) Spin at 14K RPM for 3 minutes
 * 4) Pipette off 90% of the aqueous phase to a new tube (avoid the phenol:aqueous interface as it contains contaminating proteins)
 * 5) Add an equal volume of water-saturated ether to the DNA solution (fume hood, wear gloves)
 * 6) Vortex for at least 1 minute
 * 7) Spin at 14K RPM for 3 minutes
 * 8) Pipette off the ether phase (ether is on top), discard in a falcon tube containing activated charcoal in the fume hood
 * 9) Repeat the ether wash again
 * 10) Precipitate the DNA

Links
| Biosize Bio - How Phenol Extraction Works