Viral nucleic acid isolation from water samples COVID-19
Tech Notes
October 26, 2020

Summary

Many researchers are now starting to use wastewater testing to monitor COVID-19 infection rates. Routine wastewater surveillance might be an efficient, non-invasive tool to detect new COVID-19 infections. 

Wastewater samples are a major challenge for laboratories. Together with our R&D Team we worked on kit recommendations and workflows to optimize the labwork. Find below our suggestions for sample concentration and nucleic acid purification.

Challenges

Methods for sample concentration:

For efficient isolation of nucleic acids from water samples it is essential to concentrate viral particles prior to nucleic acid purification. Several methods can be used for sample concentration: 

Ultrafiltration (e.g. Centicon filter units) Precipiration Filtration and concentration of viral particles using electronegative membranes

Please click here to find the MN recommendations for sample concentration prior to nucleic acid purification

Nucleic acid purification from concentrated water samples:

We recommend to either use NucleoMag DNA/RNA Water or NucleoSpin RNA Stool for nucleic acid purification from concentrated water samples for the following reasons:

  • Superior PCR inhibitor removal characteristics
  • RNA as well as DNA can be extracted
  • Can be used for all common downstream application including NGS
  • Can handle liquid and solid sample input

We are pleased to see that researchers use our NucleoMag DNA/RNA Water kit for COVID-19 wastewater monitoring. To support them, our R&D developed protocol recommendations for nucleic acid purification from wastewater. 

Advantages using the NucleoMag DNA/RNA Water kit for wastewater processing

  • Can be used for nucleic acid purification independent of the sampling method
  • Can be used for sample processing in a HTP manner on common liquid handling platforms

Advantages using the NucleoSpin RNA Stool kit for wastewater processing

  • A single spin kit for small scale purposes
  • It  has an advanced inhibitory removal technology