At even neutral pH if it is not buffered. DNA autocatalysis happens at any pH below 8, but if the solution is buffered, the pH does not fall during the process too much to speed up the process. So, indeed, the best way to preserve nucleic acids is to store them absolutely dry and dessicated. Then again, it is quite difficult to re-dissolve too dry samples! Hence, a compromise is to store in a medium that would prevent loss (DMFA for RNA, and TE8 for DNA). DNA may also be stored spot-dried on a cellulosic support (filter paper) and eluted from there as and when required.
> I would like to know at what acidic pH dose DNA starts hydrolyzing into > its > components > > -- > With Regards > uday > (u.ku...@fz-juelich.de) > _______________________________________________ > Methods mailing list > Methods@net.bio.net > http://www.bio.net/biomail/listinfo/methods > -- Hiranya S. Roychowdhury, Ph.D. Asst. Professor, Health & Public Services Dona Ana Community College New Mexico State University Las Cruces, NM 88003 _______________________________________________ Methods mailing list Methods@net.bio.net http://www.bio.net/biomail/listinfo/methods
