In response to the request for a miniprep protocol for Chlamy DNA, I have
some preliminary information that might help. There was a paper published
in Biotechniques recently (Goodwin and Lee, 1993, 15:438-444) call
"Microwave Miniprep of Total Genomic DNA from Fungi, Plants, Protists, and
Animals for PCR". A temporary technician in our lab tried this for DNA
isolation from a green alga Monoraphidium. This is a very tough, tiny alga
from which it is very difficult to isolate unsheared, clean DNA. In a
preliminary experiment using the microwave technique, she was able to
isolate about a microgram of digestable DNA from 40 ml of a medium density
culture. Unfortunately, she left the lab and we haven't had a chance to
pursue this further, but it looked promising. Granted, its not as "mini" a
prep as the one posted by Dr. Harris, but it may be more useful for cells
that are more difficult to lyse than Chlamy.
Terri Dunahay
National Renewable Energy Lab
dunahayt at tcplink.nrel.gov
