A novel method for improved separation of metagenomic samples for preservation and identification.

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Abstract The success of all microbiome-based studies are highly dependent on effective sample purification of the target organisms of interest. Characterizing individual organismal components of these metagenomic samples relies heavily upon the ability to separate the individual phylogenetic components, such as removing human cells from the microbiological fraction while preventing samples loss or degradation. This Phase I STTR project aims to significantly advance DNA purification methods of metagenomics / environmental samples (e.g. human and bacteria) using a patent pending simple and inexpensive purification approach aimed at effectively separating and preserving host and microbial DNA. This method will ensure all organismal DNA is preserved (i.e. not “sacrificed” or loss) during initial separation steps, unlike protocols employed by existing DNA purification kit manufacturers. Outcomes should result in higher quality DNA sequence data (i.e. higher sequencing coverage and higher sensitivity) thus providing robust information content, leading to higher confidence in the organismal characterization. Syracuse Biolabs, Inc. (SBL), has teamed with scientists in the Forensic and National Security Sciences Institute (FNSSI) at Syracuse University to further improve and commercialize this novel DNA purification approach. This Phase I project has three aims directed to establish a proof-of-concept of the method leading to initial kit development for fieldable DNA purification modules of metagenomic samples. Our metagenomics DNA purification kit is also applicable to fields outside of the human microbiome research market, including forensic identification and geolocation of biological samples relevant to criminal and intelligence related activities, DNA based ecological research, plant and microbial based geosourcing and defense/homeland security efforts (requiring DNA purification from environmental samples).