Model isolations of nucleic acids from prokaryotic and eukaryotic sources using an organic/aqueous biphasic system

Nucleic acids were extracted from bacteria and yeast, using a biphasic system created by mixing a water-miscible, organic solvent with an aqueous salt solution. Nucleic acids were separated from the majority of host-contaminating proteins without using chaotrophic agents such as guanidine salts, phenol or chloroform, which are known to be hazardous. Isolated DNA is sufficiently pure for use in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).