Stool and soil are often the sample types of choice for scientists in the microbiome field. However, these samples also happen to be some of the most challenging to extract RNA and DNA from, until now. The MagMAX Microbiome Ultra Nucleic Acid Isolation Kit enables efficient, high-throughput nucleic acid extraction from stool and soil. The kit utilizes MagMAX magnetic-bead technology, ensuring reproducible recovery of high-quality nucleic acid compatible with a broad range of applications, including microarrays, real-time PCR, and next-generation sequencing.

Features of the MagMAX Microbiome Nucleic Acid Isolation Kit include:
• Automation-ready protocols designed for the KingFisher Flex and KingFisher Duo Prime systems
• Fast procedure allows for 96 samples to be processed in ∼60 minutes
• Compatible with stool, soil, and swabs contained in transport medium
• Mechanical disruption via bead beating in 96-well plate or individual tubes
• Elution volumes ranging from 50 to 200 μL

Maximize sample input and nucleic acid recovery in minimal time
Up to 100 mg of stool can be processed per well in a KingFisher 96-deep well plate. When the extraction process is performed using a KingFisher Flex system, 96 samples can processed in ∼60 minutes; when using a KingFisher Duo Prime system 12 samples can be processed in ∼50 minutes. When the protocol is completed, pure RNA and DNA is concentrated in 100 μL of elution buffer.

Two bead beating formats available
High-throughput processing of difficult samples such as stool is possible with 96-deep well plates containing zirconia beads combined with optimized MagMAX Microbiome reagents (Cat. No. A42357). If processing 96 samples at a time is not needed then the same beads are available in tube format for lower-throughput processing (this page). Once the bead beating step is complete, the lysate can then be transferred into a KingFisher 96-deep well plate and processed on a KingFisher Flex or KingFisher Duo Prime system.

Benefits of MagMAX magnetic bead–based purification
Magnetic beads offer many benefits compared to other technologies for isolating nucleic acid. Beads bind the DNA more efficiently than glass-fiber filters, resulting in higher and more consistent yields. Additionally, because filters and vacuum manifolds are not used, there is no risk of filter clogging due to cellular particulates in samples. This clogging issue is of particular concern with stool samples that are commonly used for microbiome research.

The Dynabeads MyOne Silane contained in the MagMAX Microbiome Ultra Nucleic Acid Isolation Kit have an optimized silica-like surface chemistry with high specific surface area that allows efficient kinetics and high sensitivity in nucleic acid capture. These aspects make Dynabeads MyOne Silane ideal for the recovery RNA and DNA. Once captured, these nucleic acids can then be eluted in of 50-100 μL of elution buffer for use in downstream applications.