DNA purification for direct nucleic acid-based diagnostics from environmental and clinical samples

Summary

Direct DNA-based detection methods are crucial for future environmental monitoring and clinical diagnosis. We give an overview of the many variations of sample preparation approaches for bacteria for direct analyses (i.e. without culturing) in environmental and clinical samples. We cover the issues of sampling, sample preservation, separation of the microorganisms from the environmental or clinical matrix and DNA purification. Our focus is to describe both the advantages, and the disadvantages of the methods available.