A Solid Solution

Performing phenol extraction of nucleic acid samples is rarely the high point in a molecular biologist's day. This technique for removing contaminating proteins from a sample has endured despite the challenge of avoiding the goopy interface during transfer of the desired, upper aqueous phase. Who hasn't gone for that last little bit of nucleic acid sample and accidentally sucked up some of the interface? To ensure purity, many researchers keep a safe distance from the interface and settle for r

Written byDebra Swanson
| 2 min read

Register for free to listen to this article
Listen with Speechify
0:00
2:00
Share

Performing phenol extraction of nucleic acid samples is rarely the high point in a molecular biologist's day. This technique for removing contaminating proteins from a sample has endured despite the challenge of avoiding the goopy interface during transfer of the desired, upper aqueous phase. Who hasn't gone for that last little bit of nucleic acid sample and accidentally sucked up some of the interface? To ensure purity, many researchers keep a safe distance from the interface and settle for reduced yield. So why have researchers braved the fumes and risked nasty phenol burns for so many years? One simple reason: Phenol extraction works.

Eppendorf Scientific of Westbury, N.Y., now offers Phase Lock Gel (PLG), a solid solution for relatively painless phenol or chloroform extractions. PLG is a unique proprietary compound that forms a durable barrier between the organic and aqueous phases after centrifugation, essentially trapping both the undesirable organic phase ...

Interested in reading more?

Become a Member of

The Scientist Logo
Receive full access to digital editions of The Scientist, as well as TS Digest, feature stories, more than 35 years of archives, and much more!
Already a member? Login Here

Related Topics

Meet the Author

Published In

Share
Illustration of a developing fetus surrounded by a clear fluid with a subtle yellow tinge, representing amniotic fluid.
January 2026

What Is the Amniotic Fluid Composed of?

The liquid world of fetal development provides a rich source of nutrition and protection tailored to meet the needs of the growing fetus.

View this Issue
Human-Relevant In Vitro Models Enable Predictive Drug Discovery

Advancing Drug Discovery with Complex Human In Vitro Models

Stemcell Technologies
Redefining Immunology Through Advanced Technologies

Redefining Immunology Through Advanced Technologies

Ensuring Regulatory Compliance in AAV Manufacturing with Analytical Ultracentrifugation

Ensuring Regulatory Compliance in AAV Manufacturing with Analytical Ultracentrifugation

Beckman Coulter Logo
Conceptual multicolored vector image of cancer research, depicting various biomedical approaches to cancer therapy

Maximizing Cancer Research Model Systems

bioxcell

Products

Sino Biological Logo

Sino Biological Pioneers Life Sciences Innovation with High-Quality Bioreagents on Inside Business Today with Bill and Guiliana Rancic

Sino Biological Logo

Sino Biological Expands Research Reagent Portfolio to Support Global Nipah Virus Vaccine and Diagnostic Development

Beckman Coulter

Beckman Coulter Life Sciences Partners with Automata to Accelerate AI-Ready Laboratory Automation

Refeyn logo

Refeyn named in the Sunday Times 100 Tech list of the UK’s fastest-growing technology companies