Aurora System
Nucleic Acid Purification and Concentration System
Boreal’s nucleic acid purification instruments are based on SCODA (Synchronous Coefficient of Drag Alteration) a novel, proprietary electrophoresis technology that selectively concentrates nucleic acids from large sample volumes to a small, concentrated amount of gel or buffer.
SCODA electrophoretic purification is fundamentally different from other extraction methods, with significant advantages:
SCODA electrophoretic purification is fundamentally different from other extraction methods, with significant advantages:
- Unparalleled nucleic acid purity from the most difficult samples.
- High yield from dilute or trace samples, enabling recovery where all other methods fail.
- Exceptional removal of all PCR inhibitors including humic substances, independent of species.
- Minimal sample handling enabling a simplifed workflow.
- Concentration and purification of high molecular weight DNA 50 kb – 1Mb.
How it works:
Purification and concentration is accomplished by means of rotating electric fields that act uniquely on long, charged polymers, leaving other molecules unaffected. The electric field parameters can be adjusted to select very specifically for nucleic acids, rejecting contaminants and PCR inhibitors that, in affinity-based purification methods, often co-elute with DNA and RNA.
This method allows for very simple nucleic acid purification on our Aurora system: a sample up to 5 mL in volume that has undergone one of our prescribed lysis protocols is added to an input chamber on the disposable cartridge adjacent to concentration gel. The cartridge is inserted into the instrument and, following automated injection and concentration, the purified product is recovered by pipetting a small volume of buffer from the central reservoir.
Analyze your most challenging samples
Boreal’s electrophoretic extraction technology is proven to purify DNA and RNA from extremely low abundance and heavily inhibited samples including soils from the Atacama desert, Antarctic tundra, sea sediments, oil sands and stool. Aurora also excels at extraction of high molecular weight DNA – see the product specification to learn more.
Workflow
The Aurora workflow includes the following steps:
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Cartridges
New: Aurora now accepts reusable agarose gel cartridges to minimize per-sample purification costs. The refillable cartridges are provided with gel casting accessories and can be reused many times. Additional cartridges and replacement parts are provided under the service contract providing a cost-effective solution for nucleic acid purification from the most challenging environmental samples.
Applications
Aurora purifies and concentrates nucleic acids from a wide range of samples: