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Education
(left to right) Assoc. Prof Dr
M.A Affan, Assoc. Prof Dr
Zainab Ngaini and Senior
Lecturer Dr Ho Wei Seng
At UNIMAS (University Malaysia
Sarawak) they have successfully
developed a kit, which can do exactly
what the industries are looking for in
the field of amplifying DNA via PCR
without prior DNA purification. Aptly
called a fasTiP-X Kit, the machine
simplifies the process while also
saves cost and time. It also does not
use liquid nitrogen nor hazardous
chemicals and therefore suitable for
high-throughput of genome analyses.
DNA
extraction
of plant samples
Researcher: Dr Ho Wei Seng
It is a fact that majority of people
in this world do not know
anything about DNA extraction of
plant samples nor the process of
identifying compounds and other
plant content in the samples. To
those in the research industry like
forestry, biological and herbal
laboratories, factories and chemistry,
such information is vital for their
work. As such, the faster these
simple extractions can be done and
results produced, the better it will
be for them to move into the next
step or stage of research on the
materials.
With the new device, there are only
three simple steps. Firstly, transfer the
plant samples into the fasTip-X Extract
Buffer by touching the samples with a
Harris Uni-core puncher. Next, incubate
to lyses the plant cells and finally use
the incubated solution for polymerase
Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification.
As can be seen the whole process
is simple and easy for anyone with
competent to handle. The time factor
is important in the processing as results
can be gathered in a short time and
also very minimum sample material is
required. The sample can be amplified
>3 kb and works with many varieties
of plant samples. It is also obvious that
the process is safe as no hazardous
chemicals are used. Most importantly,
the device is cost effective and the
difference could be as much as US$7
when compared to conventional
extraction methods per sample.
For better and closer look into
these new findings at UNIMAS,
prospective investors and businesses
should directly consult the university
and work in collaboration with
them. After all, what is good for
the research team will eventually
be useful and cost effective for the
industries in the long run.
Faculty of Resource Science
and Technology
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak
94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia.
Tel: +6082 583161 Fax: +6082 583160
www.unimas.my
Apr-Jun2012BorneoTalk | 65