Viral DNA Purification (Biotech Support Group’s ViraPrep Lambda)

"The second method of purifying the virus particles was to use a ViraPrep™ Lambda kit. According to the manufacturer‟s instructions (Biotech Support Group), this is designed to purify viral DNA based upon the unique virus binding reagent, Viraffinity™ Matrix, whose performance characteristics are listed in Table 2.3. The polymer matrix can capture virus particles from plate or liquid. The matrix with virus was pelleted and washed of contaminants using the buffer supplied, then the particles were lysed to release the DNA while the coat proteins and exonuclease remained bound. The viral DNA was concentrated by ethanol precipitation. Among the many advantages of this method are that it is non-hazardous, it produces a high yield, it is simple to use and the entire protocol can be completed in a short time."

This excerpt is from a doctoral thesis, Metagenomic Analysis of the Human Mouth Virus Population and Characterisation of Two Lytic Viruses, by Ahmed N. Al-Jarbou, MSc.