BioTechniques News
Tristan Free
BioTechniques’ Editor-in-chief Michelle Itano (University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA) casts her eye back to pick out her top three papers from April to June. Get her reviews of an examination of cfDNA extraction methods, a proximity-biotinylation-based method for the investigation of protein–protein interactions and a new HPLC-based approach to single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) extraction.
Evaluation and verification of cfDNA extraction methods
Circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is a promising source of biomarkers for liquid biopsies. However, its low abundance and fragmented nature have proven to be a challenge for downstream analytical methods such as droplet digital PCR and next-generation sequencing. The quality and quantity of cfDNA extracted from a sample can be influenced by pre-analytical factors such as sampling, sample transport and storage. Equally important, the choice of cfDNA extraction method can influence yield and fragment recovery. In this Editorial, the authors provide an overview of different extraction methods of circulating cell free DNA for use in liquid biopsy assays. With an emphasis on the heterogeneity of extraction kits, the authors compare commercial kits available in both manual and automated formats, evaluating fluorometric and PCR-based quantification methods, costs, and yield performance. They emphasize that the optimal cfDNA extraction kit is highly dependent on individual laboratory needs, taking into account factors such as equipment availability, capacity, and costs.
eBook: Lab essentials – DNA extraction methods
This eBook explores various DNA extraction methods and techniques with key content from the BioTechniques site and journal.
Investigating the interactomic landscape of survival motor neuron (SMN) and the SMNΔ7 truncated protein
This Report by Beaumont et al presents a method for studying protein-protein interactions in cell culture, which are key to understanding cellular processes in health and disease. In the study, the authors describe a protocol combining TurboID, a proximity biotinylation technique capable of detecting transient or weak interactions, with protein co-immunoprecipitation, a molecular biology technique used to identify stable, high-affinity protein interactors. Together, this integrated approach provides a comprehensive view of protein interactions, enabling comparison of interaction stability within the same system and offering deeper insights into how proteins interact within cells. The authors validated their method using proteins implicated in the pathology of spinal muscular atrophy, demonstrating that the approach can be used to study disease-related changes and potentially identify clinically relevant protein targets.
World-first gene editing application unveils master regulator of human embryo development
For the first time, researchers have used a genome editing technique called base editing to identify a master gene that is essential for human embryo development.
RP-HPLC-based purification of long single-stranded DNA for CRISPR knock-in applications
Long ssDNA molecules play an important role in gene editing, precision medicine and DNA nanotechnology. Despite this, current preparation methods are often slow, low-yielding and difficult to scale for larger applications. In a bid to overcome this, researchers developed a workflow that combines enzymatic digestion with a purification technique using high-temperature reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. In the study, the researchers were able to effectively separate and purify long ssDNA molecules, producing a range of different nucleotides in length. In addition, the researchers validated their methods in a gene-editing experiment using a 1,500-nucleotide ssDNA as a template for CRISPR gene editing in human CD8⁺ T cells, with the researchers able to successfully insert a genetic change without any impact to the viability or growth of the cell. The study highlights the potential of the newly developed workflow to produce large amounts of high-purity ssDNA for gene editing, offering a scalable and reliable alternative to existing methods.
The post The Journal at a glance: Q2 2026 highlights from our Editor in Chief appeared first on BioTechniques.
Powered by WPeMatico