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Loosing Cells with centrifugation? - (Mar/15/2006 )

HI!
I try to extract bacterial DNA from leaves. The protocol i use starts with mechanical disruption by using 0,7mm zirkonium bits. Then ther is a centrifugation fpr 6 minutes with 12'000 rpm, the supernatant is taken and than there is a treatment with lysozym.

Question: In my view the lysozym treatment after the centrifugation does not make sense, because the cells i want to break up with lysozym are in my pellet - or are there still enough cells in my supernatant?

I'm glad about your ideas!

-dersven-

I should think many of your bacteria will be in the pellet if you centrifuge at that speed/time

where did you find this protocol?

-aimikins-

I don't know this protocol but it would make much more sense to me to add the lysozyme before the spin, possibly even before the mechanical disruption. I agree with you, I can't see any sense in adding the lysozyme to the super. Could it be possible that the pellet is retained and treated with lysozyme and the supernatant is discarded?

-12345-

QUOTE (12345 @ Mar 16 2006, 07:29 AM)
..., possibly even before the mechanical disruption. I agree with you, I can't see any sense in adding the lysozyme to the super...

before the mechanical disruption - i dont think its so good, because than i enhance the risk to destroy my DNA by turbulence forces - i think the mechanical step is for getting the bacterial cells out auf the intercellualrs.


QUOTE (12345 @ Mar 16 2006, 07:29 AM)
Could it be possible that the pellet is retained and treated with lysozyme and the supernatant is discarded

I dont think so, becaus I have the DNA in my supernatant, that I won with mechanical disruption (bits) and chemical treament (SDS) - it would be useful when i only want to get grampositives.


The protocol is a standard-protocol used at the University Giessen (germany) - i don't have a publication where it is mentioned,...

-dersven-