Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
298 words
A method for isolating nucleic acid from a sample containing a mixture of nucleic acids and other biological compounds comprising: combining the sample with an extraction solution containing at least one organic compound of formula I; forming an aqueous and non-aqueous phase; and separating the aqueous phase from the non-aqueous phase, wherein formula I is selected from the group of compounds having the formula C 6 H 5 CH 2 OH or: ##STR2## where: R 1 is --CH 2 OH; R 2 is a member selected from the group consisting of --H, --F, --Cl, --Br, --I, --OH, --S(CH 2 ) r CH 3 in which r is 0 to 3, --O(CH 2 ) q CH 3 in which q is 0 to 6, --COOR 6 in which R 6 is --(CH 2 ) s CH 3 in which s is 0 to 3, --C 6 H 5 , --CH 2 C 6 H 5 , --OC 6 H 5 , --OCH 2 C 6 H 5 , --CH 2 OH, --CF 3 , and --(CH 2 ) t CH 3 in which t is 0 to 6; R 3 is a member selected from the group consisting of --H, --F, --Cl, --Br, --I, --OH, --CH 3 , --(CH 2 ) x CH 3 in which x is 0 to 3, --O(CH 2 ) n CH 3 in which v is 0 to 3; and R 4 is a member selected from the group consisting of --H, --F, --Cl, --Br, --I, --(CH 2 ) y CH 3 in which y is 0 to 3, --O(CH 2 ) w CH 3 in which w is 0 to 3, and further, wherein R 2 , R 3 and R 4 may occur in any position in relation to R 1 .
Claim 2
Independent Claim
298 words
A method for isolating nucleic acid from a sample containing a mixture of nucleic acids and other biological compounds comprising: combining the sample with an extraction solution containing at least one organic compound of formula I; forming an aqueous and non-aqueous phase; and separating the aqueous phase from the non-aqueous phase, wherein formula I is selected from the group of compounds having the formula C 6 H 5 CH 2 OH or: ##STR2## where: R 1 is --CH 2 OH; R 2 is a member selected from the group consisting of --H, --F, --Cl, --Br, --I, --OH, --S(CH 2 ) r CH 3 in which r is 0 to 3, --O(CH 2 ) q CH 3 in which q is 0 to 6, --COOR 6 in which R 6 is --(CH 2 ) s CH 3 in which s is 0 to 3, --C 6 H 5 , --CH 2 C 6 H 5 , --OC 6 H 5 , --OCH 2 C 6 H 5 , --CH 2 OH, --CF 3 , and --(CH 2 ) t CH 3 in which t is 0 to 6; R 3 is a member selected from the group consisting of --H, --F, --Cl, --Br, --I, --OH, --CH 3 , --(CH 2 ) x CH 3 in which x is 0 to 3, --O(CH 2 ) n CH 3 in which v is 0 to 3; and R 4 is a member selected from the group consisting of --H, --F, --Cl, --Br, --I, --(CH 2 ) y CH 3 in which y is 0 to 3, --O(CH 2 ) w CH 3 in which w is 0 to 3, and further, wherein R 2 , R 3 and R 4 may occur in any position in relation to R 1 .
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 1 wherein when R 2 is --C 6 H 5 , --OCH 2 C 6 H 5 , or --CH 2 C 6 H 5 , R 3 must be --CH 3 , --OH, --Cl, --Br, --F, --I, --H, --OCH 3 or --OCH 2 CH 3 and R 4 must be --H.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the extraction solution further comprises a clay or a silicate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the clay or silicate is montmorillonite clay, an organic derivative of montmorillonite clay, diatomaceous earth, aluminum silicate or a combination, derivative or analog thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the clay or silicate is at a concentration of about 0.1% to about 10%.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the sample is combined with a lysing agent before extraction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the lysing agent is a chaotropic agent.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the lysing agent is selected from the group consisting of guanidinium hydrochloride, guanidinium thiocyanate, urea and combinations thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the organic compound or combination thereof is one which has a density of 1.01 g/ml or greater.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the nucleic acid is precipitated from the aqueous phase with an alcohol.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the alcohol is ethanol or isopropanol.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the organic compound of formula I is selected from the group consisting of benzyl alcohol, 2-methyl-benzyl alcohol, 4-methoxy-benzyl alcohol, 3-ethoxy-benzyl alcohol, and 4-phenoxy-benzyl alcohol.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising, after the step of combining the sample with an extraction solution, the step of heating for about 1 to about 10 minutes at about 37° to about 65° C.