Improved nucleic acid organic extraction through use of a unique gel barrier material.

A novel density barrier material, Phase Lock Gel, has been formulated and optimized for use in enhancing the separation between aqueous and organic phases during organic extraction/ centrifugation of nucleic acids. Phase Lock Gel is inert, stable to heating, compatible with most enzymatic reactions of nucleic acids without sacrificing subsequent downstream applications, and can be easily and conveniently used with most plasmid DNA, genomic DNA, phage DNA and RNA organic extraction protocols. Use of Phase Lock Gel as an aqueous/organic phase barrier material can decrease processing time and improve nucleic acid recovery from organic extraction purifications by as much as 30%, all while minimizing user exposure to volatile organics.