Microbial DNA extraction from samples of varied origin

The impact of four different soil DNA extraction methods on the quantity and quality of isolated community DNA was evaluated using agarose gel electrophoresis, DNA spectrum study and PCR-based 16S ribosomal DNA analysis. The modified direct lysis method was optimized for environmental water samples (wastewater fed-fisheries and raw liquid sewage canal) as well as diagnostic samples like urine from humans, thus opening up a new arena for fast culture-independent detection of causative pathogens in pathological manifestations like urinary tract infections. The same method was independently found to be effective for isolation of genomic DNA from both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Thus a uniform method of DNA extraction from environmental samples (different types of soil and water), pathological samples as well as varied kinds of bacteria was obtained.