Long-term Storage
For long-term storage, eluted DNA should be kept at -20°C in a freezer. If possible, store it at -80°C to provide greater protection against DNA degradation.
- Avoid Repeated Freeze-Thaw Cycles: Frequent temperature fluctuations can cause DNA degradation. To prevent this, minimize the number of times the DNA is frozen and thawed.
Short-term Storage
For short-term storage (less than 24 hours), eluted DNA can be kept in the refrigerator.
Storage Best Practices
To ensure the integrity and longevity of your eluted DNA, follow these best practices:
- Protect During Storage and Transport: Always ensure the eluted DNA is protected from environmental factors when storing or transporting.
- Use Appropriate Containers:
- If storing in an E-Series 96 Deep Well Plate, use a Microplate Film to cover the plate and protect the samples during storage.
- If using the qKit purify standard kit, store the eluted DNA in the LuminUltra-provided 1.5mL Elution Tubes.
- Aliquot Before Freezing: If you anticipate using only a portion of the sample at a time, aliquot the eluted DNA into smaller portions before freezing. This reduces the risk of degradation from repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
- Limit Freeze-Thaw Cycles: Avoid subjecting the DNA to more than three freeze-thaw cycles to maintain its integrity.
- Proper Labeling: Always label the tubes with the necessary information for easy identification. This includes details such as sample ID, date, and any other relevant information.
- Light Protection: Store DNA samples in dark containers or wrap them in aluminum foil to protect them from light, which can cause degradation.