Nucleic acids are biopolymers that constitute important diagnostic molecules for a broad range of applications from clinical testing to forensic analysis. A major challenge faced by DNA and RNA analysis techniques is: (1) the selective extraction of particular nucleic acid sequences using rapid and sensitive methodologies and (2) the instability of nucleic acids toward enzymatic degradation by nucleases that are often present in biological samples or the surrounding environment. In this talk, we will discuss the design of hydrophobic magnetic ionic liquids (MILs) as nucleic acid preservation media and their subsequent compatibility with downstream amplification methods. DNA samples stored in the benzyltrioctylammonium bromotrichloroferrate(III) ([N888Bn+][FeCl3Br−]) and trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium tetrachloroferrate(III) ([P66614+][FeCl4−]) MILs and incubated with deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I) retained their molecular weight for up to 72 h at room temperature, whereas DNA treated with DNase I in aqueous solution underwent complete degradation. We will also show that ion-tagged oligonucleotides (ITOs) can be used in conjunction with MILs to efficiently capture DNA sequences from complex samples. The ITOs can be created through thio-lene “click” chemistry and the nature of the ion tag can influence the partitioning of the ITO to the hydrophobic MIL. This novel liquid-phase approach towards sequence-selective DNA capture provides superior extraction efficiencies to conventional magnetic bead technology.

Magnetic ionic liquids as extraction and preservation solvents for nucleic acid sample preparation

255th National Meeting (2018)

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