DNA & RNA from ... feces ... for PCR

[Roland Hubner]

> I believe I have exhaustively tested all known methods (including
> commercial kits).

Hello,

 well, then maybe you didn't left the samples long enough, in order that 
the Poinar approach I once mentionned to you works (see below)  ;^)

 What about this one?
 
 Biotechniques 2000 Feb;28(2):286-90

Best of luck,
 Roland


ps. Poinar et al. -- Science 1998 Jul 17;281(5375):402-6
                                                                                                
Molecular coproscopy: dung and diet of the extinct ground sloth 
Nothrotheriops shastensis. 

"DNA from excrements can be amplified by means of the polymerase chain 
reaction. However, this has not been possible with ancient feces. 
Cross-links between reducing sugars and amino groups were shown to exist 
in a Pleistocene coprolite from Gypsum Cave, Nevada. A chemical agent, 
N-phenacylthiazolium bromide, that cleaves such cross-links made it 
possible to amplify DNA sequences..."