FAQ: MERmaid

What is the difference between MERmaid and MERmaid Spin?

When working with DNA between 200-500 bp, should I use GENECLEAN or MERmaid?

After doing a MERmaid prep from agarose, my eluate solidified. Why?

Can I use NEW Wash from GENECLEAN with my MERmaid Kit?

Can I use Ethanol Wash from MERmaid with my GENECLEAN Kit?

Q.What is the difference between MERmaid and MERmaid Spin?

A.The MERmaid Spin Kits have the same basic steps as the MERmaid Kits: Bind, Wash, and Elute. The main differences between the kits are the following:

• Instead of having the chaotropic salt and the GLASSFOG as separate components, they are combined into one suspension (GLASSFOG Spin Bind) in the spin kit.
• In the MERmaid Spin Kit, all 3 steps are done in a Spin Module, allowing for rapid washing without resuspension of the GLASSFOG/DNA pellet. The amount of agarose is limited to 300 mg (300 ml liquid volume) by the volume capacity of the SPIN Module.
• Because a fixed volume of GLASSFOG Spin Bind is added, the binding capacity of the spin kit is 5 mg/prep (5 mg DNA/ 400 ml GLASSFOG Spin Bind).
• While TE or autoclaved water can still be used to elute the DNA from the GLASSFOG, we now supply Elution Solution in the spin kit, which is nuclease/pyrogen-free water.
• For best results, it is strongly recommended that the MERmaid Electrophoresis Buffer be used. For DNA <50bp in length, we also recommend using BIOGEL. The DNA purified using this kit is suitable for almost any downstream procedure (i.e. ligation, restriction digestion, transfection/transformation, manual and autofluorescent sequencing, etc.)

Q. When working with DNA between 200-500 bp, should I use GENECLEAN or MERmaid?

A. When working with DNA 200-500 bp, you can use either the GENECLEAN or MERmaid Kit. For optimal results with the GENECLEAN Kit, add 1/10 volume of TBE Modifier or 1/200 volume of 10% acetic acid to the volume of NaI used in a particular prep. This will lower the pH of the NaI/GLASSMILK/DNA mixture to approximately 6.5, where smaller DNA species (down to 200 bp) will bind with maximum efficiency. No modifications are necessary for MERmaid.

Q. After doing a MERmaid prep from agarose, my eluate solidified. Why?

A. Sometimes the agarose is not sufficiently melted in step 1 and can carry over into the final product. To avoid agarose carryover, do the optional wash with the High Salt Binding Solution in step 3b in the MERmaid protocol or wash with High Salt Wash in step 2 of the MERmaid Spin protocol.

Q. Can I use NEW Wash from GENECLEAN with my MERmaid Kit?

A. No.

Q. Can I use Ethanol Wash from MERmaid with my GENECLEAN Kit?

A. Yes.