Spin columns by Qiagen-Recycleable?

[hsip_15]

Haik,

Can I know if the SpinColumns in the Plasmids Miniprep Kit is recycleable or not? The DNAs retained in the spin column has already been eluted with the Elution buffer and therefore, by right, the spin columns are free or almost free of DNAs.

[kmunson779]

I would not reuse the columns. Yes, most of the DNA has been eluted, but it's not 100%. I have run a second elution if I needed more DNA and gotten DNA off the column.

I suppose, if I were doing several minipreps of the same sample, I might reuse the column, but it's not worth my time to run multiple preps sequentially when I can do them all at the same time.

You also have to worry about DNAses and other contaminating proteins which should mostly have gone away in the lysate precipitation and column washes, but you can never be sure, and is it worth possibly contaminating two samples?

[hsip_15]

Dear Kmunson779,

Thanks for your reply. Well, actually I am not sure on reusing it also. I did re-elute the spin columns before and it does have some remaining DNAs in the column.

The membrane seemed to be made out of silica and etc.. and therefore, I am wondering if I can actually run some kinds of chemical solutions through the columns which can help to release the biomolecules bound to the membranes.

Thanks alot, your answer is making me put on my thinking cap.