Further information:
QIAamp System

QIAamp 96 DNA Swab BioRobot Kit

For automated high-throughput DNA isolation from swabs

The QIAamp 96 DNA Swab BioRobot Kit on the BioRobot 9604 offers reliable automated DNA purification from up to 96 swab samples in less than 2 hours. The procedure is optimized for use with air-dried swabs with plastic shafts and cotton or DACRON tips, although other swab types can be used. Proven QIAamp 96 technology provides uniform DNA recovery and purity across the 96-well plate with no cross-contamination between samples (see figure "Cross-Contamination Test"). Effective removal of enzyme inhibitors ensures reliable performance in downstream applications such as TaqMan, LightCycler, and iCycler analyses (see figure "Reliable Performance"). The isolated DNA is ready to use in a wide range of applications in molecular diagnostics and forensic science, such as genetic disease testing (e.g., for hemochromatosis or Factor V Leiden), identity testing (e.g., HLA typing), and paternity testing (see figures "Multiplex STR Analysis" and "GeneScan Analysis").

Cross-Contamination Test

Cross-contamination control analysis of the automated DNA purification procedure on the BioRobot 9604. A total of 96 used () and/or unused () buccal swabs were arranged on the sample input area of the BioRobot 9604 as indicated in the figure and processed following the QIAamp 96 DNA Swab BioRobot procedure. Samples (10 µl) of eluate from all 96 wells were submitted to 35 cycles of amplification by PCR. No products (a β globin fragment) were detected on an agarose gel from eluates from unused swabs. (Data kindly provided by N. Lawrence, Boston Biomedica Inc., Biotech Research Laboratories, Gaithersburg, MD, USA.)

Reliable Performance

β-actin TaqMan PCR amplification of 8 typical DNA samples from 96 samples purified from buccal swabs using the QIAamp 96 DNA Swab BioRobot procedure. The 96 samples represented 96 different donors. 2.5 µl samples of each eluate were subjected to 50 cycles of amplification.

Multiplex STR Analysis

Multiplex STR analysis of 12 randomly chosen DNA samples from 96 buccal swabs purified using the QIAamp 96 DNA Swab BioRobot procedure. 2 µl samples of each eluate were subjected to multiplex STR analysis using the GenePrint PowerPlex 1.1 System (Promega) allowing the simultaneous amplification of 8 different tetranucleotide repeat loci (indicated on the left). The resultant products were analyzed on a 5% long-range acrylamide gel. Markers: Fluorescent ladder CRX 60–400 bases (Promega). (Data kindly provided by Bode Technology Group, Springfield, VA, USA.)

GeneScan Analysis

GENESCAN analysis of DNA isolated from buccal swabs, from 3 different donors, using the QIAamp 96 DNA Swab BioRobot procedure. An internal standard (black line) and an external standard (AmpFlstr Blue PCR Amplification Kit) were included. 1 ng of eluted DNA was subjected to triplex-STR analysis (gene loci: D3S1358, vWA, FGA) using AmpFlstr Blue PCR Amplification Kit (Applera Corp.). PCR product was mixed with GENESCAN-500 internal molecular-weight standards (Applera Corp.) and analyzed on an ABI PRISM 377 DNA Sequencer.

QIAamp 96 DNA Swab BioRobot Kit Handbook 11/01 (PDF version, 287KB)