RAPID ISOLATION OF DNA FROM FOSSIL AND MUSEUM SPECIMENS SUITABLE FOR PCR

We describe a simple process for extraction of DNA from amber-entombed fossils and museum specimens that is suitable for enzymatic amplifica tion by PCR. Five to ten milligrams of the macerated specimen were mix ed in 300 mul of silica matrix and shaken at 55-degrees-C for 1 h in a sterile, screw-capped microcentrifuge tube. After incubation, the sil ica matrix was transferred to the upper chamber of a SpinFilter(TM), c entrifuged at maximum speed for 1 min and then washed twice with 500 m ul of wash solution and the DNA eluted with 50 mul of TE buffer the el uate was used as template for PCR, and the results were evaluated by e lectrophoresis and nucleotide sequence analysis. All samples tested yi elded positive results, which were subsequently verified by sequence a nalysis. It appears, at least in our hands, that the procedure describ ed here is a rapid and efficient way of obtaining small amounts of DNA for PCR in museum and fossilized specimens.