Automated DNA clean-up using the Zymo Research DNA Clean & Concentrator® MagBead Kit

  • Automated DNA clean-up using the Zymo Research DNA Clean & Concentrator® MagBead Kit

    Get your ultrapure DNA with the ASSIST PLUS pipetting robot

    DNA clean-up methods are used to purify samples of DNA by removing any unwanted components. This is crucial for the success of downstream processes in genomics, biotechnology, molecular biology, clinical research and other fields of biology.

    Zymo Research’s DNA Clean & Concentrator (DCC) MagBead Kit offers a magnetic bead-based DNA cleanup for PCR and NGS. Its single buffer system can recover DNA from enzymatic reactions, impure extractions, library preparations, and other sources. The kit can be used with the VOYAGER adjustable tip spacing pipette on the ASSIST PLUS pipetting robot to automate DNA purification and concentration, enabling high throughput
    processing.

    The results of the automated DNA clean-up protocols show high reproducibility, excellent yield and purity values.

  • Table of contents

    DNA clean-up methods are used to purify samples of DNA by removing any unwanted components. This is crucial for the success of downstream processes in genomics, biotechnology, molecular biology, clinical research and other fields of biology.

    Zymo Research’s DNA Clean & Concentrator (DCC) MagBead Kit offers a magnetic bead-based DNA cleanup for PCR and NGS. Its single buffer system can recover DNA from enzymatic reactions, impure extractions, library preparations, and other sources. The kit can be used with the VOYAGER adjustable tip spacing pipette on the ASSIST PLUS pipetting robot to automate DNA purification and concentration, enabling high throughput
    processing.

    The results of the automated DNA clean-up protocols show high reproducibility, excellent yield and purity values.

Key benefits

  • Automated DNA clean-up with Zymo's DCC on the ASSIST PLUS pipetting robot makes DNA clean-up simple. Manual intervention is needed only when moving labware on and off the magnetic separator and shaker.
  • GRIPTIPS® pipette tips are designed to create a perfect seal with the VOYAGER pipette, ensuring that they never leak or fall off. Using low retention GRIPTIPS guarantees precise pipetting of volatile solutions, such as ethanol.
  • The VIALAB software provides easy programming and includes a labware change feature for overcoming the hurdle of limited deck space.
  • Using the VOYAGER adjustable tip spacing electronic pipette gives unlimited flexibility and easy transfers between different labware formats.
  • The optimized liquid handling parameters on the ASSIST PLUS allow efficient DNA clean-up, without bead or buffer carryover. Using the pipetting robot guarantees that pipetting is always performed from and to the same position, ensuring consistent results every time. Accurate pipetting height, pre- and post-dispense, and ideal pipetting speeds have been refined for careful handling of liquids and magnetic beads, helping to achieve the desired results.
  • The DNA clean-up protocol can be simplified by using innovative labware accessories. Reservoirs with SureFlo™ anti-sealing array allow the lowest possible dead volume for valuable liquids. The dual reservoir adapter accommodates 2 divided reagent reservoirs with compartments for 4 different reagents. The 96 well cooling block keeps precious reagents cold and serves as a storage place for the PCR plate on the deck.
  • Using the VOYAGER automated tip spacing electronic pipette gives unlimited flexibility and easy transfers between different labware formats.

Overview: How to get ultra pure DNA with Zymo's DCC kit

Step-by-step procedure

The ASSIST PLUS pipetting robot is used together with the 300 μl 8 channel VOYAGER adjustable tip spacing electronic pipette and 300 μl low retention, sterile, filter GRIPTIPS in this semi-automated workflow to purify nucleic acid (Figure 1).

Graphical representation of the three steps – binding, washing and elution – of the total DNA clean-up workflow.
Figure 1: The total DNA clean-up workflow.

Downloads: App note and protocols for automated DNA clean-up using the Zymo Research DNA Clean & Concentrator® MagBead Kit

The total DNA clean-up workflow is composed of 3 main steps:

  1. Binding
  2. Washing
  3. Elution

Experimental set-up

Deck position A: dual reservoir adapter with 2 divided reservoirs

Deck position B: Sapphire 96 well PCR plate (Greiner Bio-one) on a PCR cooling block

Deck position C: Thermo Scientific™ Abgene™ 96 well 0.8 ml polypropylene DeepWell™ plate

Graphical representation of the ASSIST PLUS pipetting robot deck set-up with divided reservoirs containing the buffers, 96 well PCR plate with nuclease-free water, magnetic beads and elution buffer and a 96 well PCR plate containing the DNA to be purified.
Figure 2: Deck set-up for the binding step. Position A: dual reservoir adapter with 2 divided reservoirs with DNA MagBinding Buffer (A2 – pink) and DNA Wash Buffer (A4 – lilac). Position B: 96 well PCR plate on a cooling block with nuclease-free water (blue), MagBinding Beads (green) and DNA Elution Buffer (yellow). Position C: 0.8 ml DeepWell plate with the nucleic acid to be purified (dark blue).

Binding

Preparation of samples and addition of buffer and magnetic beads

Place the dual reservoir adapter at deck Position A. Place 2 divided reservoirs onto the deck, fill 1 of the 10 ml compartments with 2.2 ml of DNA MagBinding Buffer (Figure 2, pink) and the other with 9 ml of DNA Wash Buffer (Figure 2, lilac). Next, place a 96 well PCR plate with nuclease-free water, MagBinding Beads and DNA Elution Buffer (Figure 2, blue, green and yellow, respectively) at Position B (Figure 3).

A hand wearing gloves placing the 96 well PCR plate containing nuclease-free water, magnetic beads and elution buffer onto INTEGRA's PCR cooling block.
Figure 3: Placing the 96 well PCR plate onto the PCR cooling block.

Lastly, place the DeepWell plate containing the 30 μl samples (Figure 2, dark blue) at deck Position C.

Select and run the VIALAB program 'Zymo DCC'. The VOYAGER adjustable tip spacing electronic pipette will transfer 20 μl of nuclease-free water (with a 5 μl pre- and post-dispense) into the samples, so that the starting volume of the nucleic acid to be purified is 50 μl, as suggested by the DCC kit manufacturer. Next, the correct volume of DNA MagBinding Buffer – corresponding to 4 times the volume of input DNA in this case, 4x50 μl = 200 μl – is added to each sample, followed by 10 cycles of accurate mixing at speed 5. The MagBinding Beads are mixed thoroughly over 10 cycles to ensure they are kept in suspension, and 20 μl of beads are added to the samples (Figure 4). The magnetic beads are then mixed with the nucleic acid to be purified over 15 cycles.

ASSIST PLUS pipetting machine is aspirating the magnetic beads from the wells of a 96 well PCR plate to be added to the samples.
Figure 4: Addition of the MagBinding Beads to the samples to be cleaned up.

In the next step, the pipetting robot instructs the user to put the DeepWell plate onto the shaker for 10 minutes at 1300 rpm. This step improves the binding of the nucleic acid to the magnetic beads. 

After shaking, a message on the pipette will tell the user to put an empty reservoir at deck Position A (A2) for waste and to place the DeepWell plate with the sample and magnetic beads onto the magnetic separation device at deck Position C (Figure 5).

A hand wearing gloves placing the Thermo Midi plate on a magnetic separation device on the deck position C of the ASSIST PLUS pipetting robot.
Figure 5: Placing the DeepWell plate onto the magnetic separation device.

After pressing ‘OK’, a 2-minute incubation will follow to allow magnetic bead capture. The pipetting robot will then automatically move on to the next step, where it will remove the supernatant from the plate on the magnetic separation device. 

Tips:

  • Pre- and post-dispense steps can be used in liquid transfers throughout this protocol to guarantee precise pipetting.
  • Use slow aspiration speeds of 1 or 2 during supernatant removal to avoid magnetic bead loss.

Washing

Purification with DNA Wash Buffer

The pipette directs the user to remove the magnetic separation device and place the DeepWell plate back on Position C. In the first purification step, 500 μl of DNA Wash Buffer is added in 2 transfer steps and mixed with the magnetic beads (Figure 6). Then, a message on the pipette tells the operator to place the DeepWell plate back onto the magnetic separation device at Position C and incubate it for 2 minutes. After incubation, the pipetting robot goes directly to the next step and removes the supernatant. The first washing step is repeated, and then the leftover wash buffer is carefully removed. The pipette informs the user that a 10-minute incubation time is now required to dry the magnetic beads; this incubation step is needed to ensure that residual buffer does not inhibit downstream applications.

Graphical representation of the ASSIST PLUS pipetting robot deck set-up with the divided reservoir containing the washing buffer and a 96 well PCR plate containing the DNA to be purified.
Figure 6: Deck set-up for the washing steps. Position A: Dual reservoir adapter with 2 divided reservoirs containing dead volume form previous steps (A2 – gray) and Wash Buffer (A4 – magenta). Position C: 0.8 ml DeepWell plate with nucleic acid bound to the magnetic beads (pink).

Tip:

  • The wash buffer contains ethanol. Make sure you use the correct pipetting speed, air gap and low retention tips for precise pipetting without dripping.

Elution

Eluting the samples in DNA Elution Buffer

After the drying step, the operator should remove the magnetic separation device from below the DeepWell plate. The ASSIST PLUS will add 50 μl of DNA Elution Buffer and then perform 10 mixing cycles (Figure 7). A message will pop up, telling the user that the DeepWell plate should be placed onto the shaker for 5 minutes. This guarantees that all the DNA is eluted from the magnetic beads into the buffer. After shaking, the DeepWell plate should be placed onto the magnetic separation device at Position C, where the magnetic beads will be captured during a 2-minute incubation. The pipetting robot will then inform the user that a new 96 well plate for the eluted DNA should be placed at deck Position B in landscape orientation. In the last step, the pipette transfers 45 μl of eluted DNA to the new 96 well plate.

Graphical representation of the ASSIST PLUS pipetting robot deck set-up with a 96 well PCR plate with the elution buffer and a 96 well PCR plate containing the purified DNA bound to magnetic beads.
Figure 7: Position A: Dual reservoir adapter with 2 divided reservoirs containing dead volume from previous steps (A2, A4 – gray). Deck set-up for the elution step. Position B: 96 well PCR plate on a cooling block with nuclease-free water (blue). Position C: 0.8 ml DeepWell plate with the purified nucleic acid bound to the magnetic beads (light blue).

Tip:

  • The eluted DNA can be used immediately or stored at -20 °C until further use.

Results

The automated DCC MagBead protocol on the ASSIST PLUS shows high DNA recovery from PCR, that is ready to use in any downstream application. The automated workflow resulted in greater DNA yield, better purity (A260/A280 and A260/A230 ratios) and higher reproducibility (lower SD values).

The graphs show high quality of DNA from a PCR reaction. The automated clean-up shows higher yield, better purity and more reproducible results.
Figure 8: DNA from a PCR reaction was purified manually and using the automated protocol on the ASSIST PLUS. DNA a) yield and b) purity were determined by UV spectroscopy. N=3 for each sample.

Remarks

  • VIALAB software: VIALAB programs can be easily adapted to the user’s specific labware and protocols.
  • Run report: If the ASSIST PLUS pipetting robot is connected to the PC with VIALAB, programs can be started directly from the PC. A report is automatically generated after a run, documenting details such as the start/end time, user, calculated volumes and any errors that occurred. This offers a convenient way to fulfill regulatory requirements.

Conclusion

  • The ASSIST PLUS pipetting robot in combination with the VOYAGER electronic pipette offers a seamless and efficient DNA clean-up solution using the Zymo Research DNA Clean & Concentrator MagBead Kit for low to high throughput sample batches.
  • The results of the semi-automated protocol were comparable to the manual protocol in terms of DNA yield and purity. The ASSIST PLUS protocol helped to reduce standard deviations, indicating improved consistency and reproducibility of the automated DNA clean-up process over manual clean-up.
  • Automated pipetting steps avoid the introduction of human errors, generating highly reproducible and reliable results.
  • The optimized liquid handling parameters on the ASSIST PLUS enable precision pipetting, resulting in high DNA yields and purity.
  • Wash buffers normally contain ethanol, and the use of low retention GRIPTIPS prevents dripping from occurring in the washing steps.
  • The entire semi-automated DNA clean-up workflow can be programmed as a single VIALAB program using the labware change function.

Ask our expert. Leave a comment!

Write us if you have any questions regarding the application note or one of our instruments.

Any questions? I'm happy to help!

  • Éva Mészáros, PhD

    Application Specialist

    Email

Instruments and accessories

ASSIST PLUS, Pipetting Robot VOYAGER, 8 Channel, 300 µl Communication module for INTEGRA electronic pipettes GRIPTIPS®, 300 µl, Sterile, Filter Dual Reservoir Adapter Divided Reagent Reservoir, Sterile, SureFlo anti-sealing array, 25 ml, PP PCR 96 well cooling block Zymo Research: DNA Clean & Concentrator™ MagBead Kit Promega: Deep Well MagnaBot® 96 Magnetic Separation Device Thermo Fisher Scientific: Abgene™ 96 Well 0.8 ml Polypropylene DeepWell™ Sample Processing & Storage Plate for Genomics and NGS library preparation Greiner Bio-One: Sapphire microplate, 96 well, PP

ASSIST PLUS, Pipetting Robot

INTEGRA has developed the ASSIST PLUS pipetting robot to streamline routine pipetting tasks at an affordable price. Using INTEGRA electronic multichannel pipettes, the system:

  • automates pipetting tasks,
  • eliminates physical strain and
  • ensures superior reproducibility and
  • error free pipetting.

Part No. 4505

Visit product page
ASSIST PLUS Pipetting Robot

VOYAGER, 8 Channel, 300 µl

VOYAGER pipettes allow the tip spacing to expand anywhere between 4.5 mm and 33 mm at the push of a button.

  • Single handed operation leaves the other hand free to handle labware.
  • On the fly access to up to 3 user-defined tip spacings.
  • These user defined tip spacings are saved. No need to memorize spacings of different labware formats.

Part No. 4723

See it work
VOYAGER, 8 channel series

Communication module for INTEGRA electronic pipettes

For pairing INTEGRA electronic pipettes with the ASSIST PLUS.

Part-Nr. 4221

Find out more about pipette accessories

GRIPTIPS®, 300 µl, Sterile, Filter

GRIPTIPS® pipette tips perfectly match the multi-lobe tip fitting, snapping firmly on during loading. This guarantees a perfect seal on every tip, preventing them from loosening, leaking or completely falling off. All tips are precisely aligned horizontally, enabling accurate touch-offs, even when pipetting with 384 tips.

Part No. 3435

Learn more about GRIPTIPS® pipette tips for Handheld Pipettes
300 µl Pre-sterilized, Filter GripTips

Dual Reservoir Adapter

The dual reservoir adapter makes this system ideal for assays that required sequential addition of several low volume reagent mixes. This adapter holds two 10 ml, 25 ml or divided reagent reservoirs side by side in an aluminum frame, and can be pre-chilled to keep reagents cool during processing.

Part No. 4547

Find out more about ASSIST PLUS accessories
Dual reservoir adapter with 2 didived reservoirs

Divided Reagent Reservoir, Sterile, SureFlo anti-sealing array, 25 ml, PP

Lowest Dead Volume On The Market!

25 ml divided reservoirs are comprised of 5 and 10 ml compartments, while still nesting comfortably in the standard 25 ml reusable, sturdy base. 
Each reservoir features the SureFlo™ anti-sealing array and hydrophilic surface treatment providing especially low dead volumes.

Part No. 4356 / 4357

Find out more about Divided Reagent Reservoirs
divided-reagent-reservoir-to-well-plate.jpg

PCR 96 well cooling block

Aluminium 96 and 384 well PCR cooling blocks that keep reagents chilled during sample preparation in a PCR plate. The cooling blocks feature a SBS footprint.

Part No. 6250

Find more labware accessories
PCR cooling block

Zymo Research: DNA Clean & Concentrator™ MagBead Kit

The DNA Clean & Concentrator MagBead Kit is magnetic bead based clean-up kit that can purify DNA from PCR, enzymatic reactions, impure extractions, and other sources. The MagBinding Bead technology provides a rapid and scalable workflow that can be adapted for low to high-throughput automated method for purification and concentration of DNA.

Source: Website supplier

Visit supplier website

Promega: Deep Well MagnaBot® 96 Magnetic Separation Device

The Deep Well MagnaBot® 96 Magnetic Separation Device is designed for high-throughput bioseparation using magnetic particles such as MagneSil® Paramagnetic Particles for magnetic separation in deep-well plates as an alternative to vacuum filtration and centrifugation separation formats. This MagneSil® technology allows the use of paramagnetic particles for automated nucleic acid purification applications such as plasmid purification, PCR clean-up and dye terminator clean-up prior to automated sequencing.

Part Nr.: V3031

Source: Website Promega

Visit supplier website

Thermo Fisher Scientific: Abgene™ 96 Well 0.8 ml Polypropylene DeepWell™ Sample Processing & Storage Plate for Genomics and NGS library preparation

Thermo Scientific™ Abgene™ polypropylene microplates and DeepWell plates offer storage security for assays, compound libraries or storing samples for either intermediate or long term use and have molded slots and pads for automated sample processing and preparation workflows. Abgene microtiter plates are manufactured to exacting specifications in our Class 100,000 clean room ISO 9001 conditions using USP <661.1> high quality medical grade virgin polypropylene resins, which ensure confidence in the quality and performance of the storage plates. Designed to ANSI standards these microplates and DeepWell plates are compatible with a variety of automated liquid handling for high throughput workflows. The polypropylene storage plates are offered with spindle, pyramidal, U and V bottom wells along with a wide range of volumes to accommodate most applications.

Part No. AB0859

Source: Supplier Website

Visit supplier website

Greiner Bio-One: Sapphire microplate, 96 well, PP

  • Free of detectable DNase, RNase, human DNA
  • Non-Pyrogenic
  • Ultra thin polypropylene for optimal heat transfer from the thermoblock to the reaction solution
  • Are particularly suited for automation
  • They are both "robot-freindly" for grippers, and have sufficient space for the application of barcodes
  • Sealable with sealers "SILVERseal™", "VIEWseal™" and "AMPLIseal™"
  • Volume per well: 0.2 ml
  • Full-skirted

Source: Website supplier

Visit supplier website
GREINER-BIO-ONE:SAPPHIRE MICROPLATE, 96 WELL, PP, FOR PCR - 652270

Customer’s voice

We have many operations that are performed in column or plate format and the ASSIST PLUS and MINI 96s have drastically reduced the time needed for many of the pipetting steps. As important, they also reduce the risk of error when pipetting many samples.

Josh Hyman, University of Wisconsin Biotechnology Center